Disposing of Diseased Port Orford - Ask Extension
We're quite sure our Port Orford Cedar has died because of the root disease that's so rampant here in Oregon. We're concerned about the best way to di...
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Disposing of Diseased Port Orford #882953
Asked August 25, 2024, 11:59 PM EDT
We're quite sure our Port Orford Cedar has died because of the root disease that's so rampant here in Oregon. We're concerned about the best way to dispose of the wood so it won't spread the disease. Most of what we've read about the disease says it spreads through the soil but could it be that if the wood gets chipped or is resting on the ground for any amount of time it would be passing disease into the soil? What's the best way to dispose of or use the wood?
Thank you!
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
I see that you live in Benton County. Temperatures of 140 degrees F and above will kill the Phytophthora fungus. If you live in town and have yard-debris pickup, you could put it into your cart. If not, or if you want to dispose of it all at once, you could haul it to the public drop-off center at Coffin Butte Landfill. The temperatures at the Pacific Regional Composting site exceed 140 degrees.
Thank you, Linda,
I'm curious if we bring it to landfill it won't be killed, will it?
Beeara
On Aug 26, 2024, at 4:53 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Ah, apologies, Beeara, I left out some crucial details.
Once, the public dropped off their compostables at the PRC, but that's not been the case for some years now. Instead, there is a public site at the landfill where you can drop off compostables, rubbish, appliances and so forth and purchase compost.
If you take the wood to the landfill public site, it will be hauled to the PRC, ground and composted. They have a fairly tightly controlled process in place at the PRC, and the material will be heated above 140 deg F and held there for some time.
I will be fine.
There were safety concerns about having the public at the PRC. The public site at the landfill is far more contained/controlled.
ljb
Once, the public dropped off their compostables at the PRC, but that's not been the case for some years now. Instead, there is a public site at the landfill where you can drop off compostables, rubbish, appliances and so forth and purchase compost.
If you take the wood to the landfill public site, it will be hauled to the PRC, ground and composted. They have a fairly tightly controlled process in place at the PRC, and the material will be heated above 140 deg F and held there for some time.
I will be fine.
There were safety concerns about having the public at the PRC. The public site at the landfill is far more contained/controlled.
ljb
Thank you, Linda,
I guess one more question, just so I'm totally clear. Do you know if the whole tree caries the fungus? I thought that perhaps since it's a disease in the soil that it wouldn't be contagious via the actually wood matter. It's not easy to fully understand this issue.
Beeara
On Aug 27, 2024, at 9:24 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
You are correct, this disease is a complex matter.
I'm much more about soils, composting and soil amendments than I am about plant diseases.
From an overabundance of caution, I would recommend that you treat the entire tree as though it is a source of contageon, and send it to municipal-scale composting.
Those piles at the PRC are size of a single-story ranch house in cross section and several city blocks long - thus, they reach much higher temperatures than a home compost pile could.
ljb
I'm much more about soils, composting and soil amendments than I am about plant diseases.
From an overabundance of caution, I would recommend that you treat the entire tree as though it is a source of contageon, and send it to municipal-scale composting.
Those piles at the PRC are size of a single-story ranch house in cross section and several city blocks long - thus, they reach much higher temperatures than a home compost pile could.
ljb
Sounds good Linda.
I appreciate your help,
Beeara
On Aug 27, 2024, at 10:02 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
Sounds good Linda.
I appreciate your help,
Beeara
On Aug 27, 2024, at 10:02 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
