soil under trees

[Tree Dude]

Is the soil under trees more healthier than the soil that is in the open? I think it might because the trees drops its leaves and flowers and micros are busy breaking it down.Look at the soil the forest or just under a few trees;the soil looks and smells very rich. What do you say? :?
Tree Dude

[CaptainCompostAL]

In most cases you're absolutely correct. All leaves and pine needles and bark are high carboneous materials ("browns"), that supply lots of carbon, carbohydrates, and cellulose to soil microbes and earthworms. Mostly soil fungi love rotting woody materials more than bacteria.

Some trees are actually legumes, thus adding extra atmospheric nitrogen to the soil too.

I have used forest soil as an extra fungal food stimulant in my aerobic compost tea recipes.

[Tree Dude]

soil microbes and earthworms. Mostly soil fungi love rotting woody materials more than bacteria.



Do you mean bacteria just takes long time to break down less than soil fungi? Also, it looks like that pillbugs,sowbugs, and millipedes seem to join the feast.I was thinking that some animals and fungi breakdown the big pieces of wood to small pieces,then some others breakdown the small pieces much smaller, and so on.
TreeDude

[CaptainCompostAL]

No. Actually bacteria digests most of the simpler proteins and carbohydrates first. Then fungi digests the tougher and more complex cellulose and other carbon forms later. Then the larger soil organisms go from there, etc.

That's really the main reason why you should let compost sit an extra couple of weeks or more, even after it's "done". The main decomposition in a hot pile is performed by various species of aerobic bacteria. The fungi doesn't do their thing until the pile cools down a bit, and has less or no agitation from turning or tilling in the compost pile or the garden soil. Actinomycetes tend to build up at the end of the cycle too, because they are mainly responsible for that pleasant forest earthy smell of good mature compost.

[Tree Dude]

[quote="CaptainCompostAL"]No. Actually bacteria digests most of the simpler proteins and carbohydrates first. Then fungi digests the tougher and more complex cellulose and other carbon forms later. Then the larger soil organisms go from there, etc.

That's really the main reason why you should let compost sit an extra couple of weeks or more, even after it's "done".

You are right. I notices that as well. Is that is why rotten bananas are much easier to break down than one with the tough skin? I notice it takes some time for the yellow peel breakdown. Also, my rose branches very slow to breakdown. I guess I must let my compost sit, as you stated.
Tree Dude

[CaptainCompostAL]

Yes you are correct! Chopping or shredding materials with a lawn mower, hoe, mattock, machette, etc. before placing it in the compost pile, helps the bacteria and fungi break down high cellolose, or heavy carboneous materials much faster.

Keeping it constantly moisture speeds up the microbial growth and decomposition too. Adding a little dry molasses or any other high sugary materials to the pile will speed it up even faster, since all microbes especially bacteria love sugars.