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Gardening in Oz

Paper Pulp Underturf

17 years ago

About 5 or 6 years back I bought a house in Pine Rivers Shire, Brisbane. The near new house had a recently laid couch turf which used an under-turf layer made from what appeared to be paper pulp. In fact, I had heard it was a by-product of the Petrie Paper Mill. None of the local landscape suppliers sell anything like this material so I guess it experienced a short lived popularity and would like to know more about its perceived benefites as a preparation for turf. My couch seems to be unaffected, but I have Tulipwoods on the kerb which have never prospered, wheareas a Tulipwood next door, without the same under-turf, is a picture of good health. Any experiences to offer?

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Comment (1)

gardenlen
17 years ago
g'day tree_man,

mmm never heard of the stuff ever?? would not expect something laid just under the turf to affect tree roots though? but then we just dunno hey?

as for the tree not performing that could be more to do with the medium where the tree is planted, all from preperation of the hole and what has happened since, could also mean your tulipwood may have been a pot bound root ball, you would know that better? what am saying there are lots of variables.

would be suspicious of an industrial bi-product being promoted to gardeners could be a way for them to dispose of some nasties like they do in that composted mulch from the tips.

might help if you get a ph test done around the tree dig down about 6+"s to get your sample, if you don't have a test kit any good nursery should do it free.

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page
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