RNGR.net is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service and Southern Regional Extension Forestry and is a colloborative effort between these two agencies.

U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Extension Forestry Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

Home → Publications → Tree Planters' Notes → Tree Planters' Notes Issue 66 (1964) → A Comparison of Petroleum, Sand, and Pine Straw Mulches on Eucalyptus Seedbeds

A Comparison of Petroleum, Sand, and Pine Straw Mulches on Eucalyptus Seedbeds

Eucalyptus is generally a fine seeded genus, principally native to Australia, and is exten-sively planted in the warmer regions of the globe for reforestation and ornamental pur-poses. This study was designed to determine if the Esso Reserach and Engineering Company's petroleum mulch 1 or native fine sand could be successfully substituted for pine straw mulch when growing eucalyptus seedlings in open seedbeds. This petroleum mulch is a specially formulated water emulsion of petroleum resins that is applied to soil surfaces as a spray. It coats the soil surface without penetrating it. It was reported that the mulch, when properly applied, will warm the soil, reduce evaporation, provide protection against seedbed erosion, and reduce leaching of minerals and chemicals from the growth zone.


Download this file:

PDF document Download this file — PDF document, 116Kb

Details

Author(s): Howard L. Hoffman

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Issue 66 (1964)