Released July 17, 2009
STILLWATER, Okla. – In Oklahoma, redcedar used to only grow in rocky or moist areas, a far cry from reality today where approximately 762 acres a day is lost to the trees.
Redcedar invasion into Oklahoma’s grasslands costs the state nearly $450 million a year through lost cattle forage, catastrophic fires, reduced hunting leases, lost recreation opportunities and decreased water yield.
Researchers with Oklahoma State University’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources are trying to do something about that.
“Our long-term goal is to increase the harvest and use of redcedar in Oklahoma,” said Rodney Will, associate professor of silviculture with the department of natural resource ecology and management. “Currently landowners with a redcedar infestation are forced to pay up to several hundred dollars per acre for removal, the cost of which often leads to inaction and a worsening of the problem.”
Will – along with division scientists Tom Hennessey, Craig McKinley and Janet Cole – are conducting research funded by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST) to determine the quality of redcedar mulch compared to more common alternatives such as pine bark, pine chips, hardwood mulch and cypress.
To do this, the research team is testing the effects of the different mulches on small plots of land that are planted with common ornamental trees and annual plants.
While the study began this spring and will continue through two growing seasons, Will is hopeful that the redcedar mulch will be successful.
“We hypothesize that redcedar mulch will increase plant growth and survival by reducing evaporative losses to increase soil moisture,” Will said. “We expect that the ability of redcedar mulch to provide these benefits is at least as good as common alternative products.”
While soil moisture is one aspect of quality mulch, Will believes the redcedar will stand above the rest in other areas as well.
“Redcedar contains oils and other compounds that cause the wood to be very rot resistant and to repel insects,” he said. “Compared to other mulches, we expect that redcedar mulch will decompose more slowly, need less frequent replenishment and will naturally repel insects such as termites.”
The OSU researchers will continue to measure the soil pH and nitrogen levels, as well as mulch decomposition, plant growth, soil moisture and pressure and insect activity at specified intervals through October 2010. Armed with unbiased, science-based information regarding the attributes and potential benefits of redcedar mulch, Will is hoping for a big impact.
“Expansion of the redcedar mulch market will reduce redcedar on the landscape, benefit producers, increase Oklahoma tax receipts and benefit landowners by reducing the cost of removal and restoring the value of their lands,” he said.
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Writer: Sean Hubbard, 405-744-4490, sean.hubbard@okstate.edu
