Do I have to worry about a fire?
Had some large trees thinned and mulched and was left the pile. I have been using it to mulch my fruit trees but have barely made a dent. (It’s about 6ft by 10ft).
Out of curiosity I put my compost thermometer in the top and it’s already 140 degrees. Should I be afraid? Any suggestions welcome. I am doing this solo. in So Cal. Hot, won’t be raining.
Thanks.
by Andreawestcoast
4 Comments
No, it might smoke some and if you are unsure you can spray some water on it. I have much larger piles that smoke a little and when they quit smoking I turn them with my tractor bucket.
Only from your feet as you haul it all over. Enjoy!!
It’s not likely to be a problem, but if you are worried, just spread it out more. The more compact the pile shape is, the more heat it can retain. If you spread it out, more heat will dissipate.
Had about 4x that much tree mulch dropped off by an arborist about a month ago. It maxed out at 145 (at the end of the 3 foot compost thermometer, probably hotter in the middle) and we were creeped out, but it is now cooled off. I think you’ll be ok.