[CANUFNET] References for Ramial Chipped Wood \Bois Raméal Fragmenté

[Étienne Papineau]

Hi Sean,
Being from an ag background, I can say the potential for RCW is largely untapped.
The problem with annual applications (not recommended) has to do with Nitrogen immobilization. If the material is too Carbon rich, all soil N will be used to decompose RCW and will not make it to the roots where it is needed for fresh growth.
The actual species of wood being used, moisture levels and chip size of the material would likely affect the outcome. Part of the N-immobilization could be countered by using compost under the RCW (additional supply of N) but I’m not sure this is really the best way to go.
Some of my old soils profs at the University of Guelph had lots to say about this; I would suggest you try John Lauzon at Land Resource Science.
Alternatively, the Université Laval in Québec City has the best soils faculty in Canada; likely there is someone there who is currently working on RCW where current research could be available.
Hope this helps, kind regards,

Étienne
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Étienne Papineau  |  Spécialiste technique / Technical Specialist

BioForest Technologies Inc.
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From: CANUFNET [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] On Behalf Of Sean Cosgrove
Sent: January 19, 2015 11:10 AM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Subject: [CANUFNET] References for Ramial Chipped Wood \Bois Raméal Fragmenté

Hello, I have current references from francophone Europe on this subject, but is anyone in Canada using or studying this approach? Would love to know.
Have you ever heard of Gilles Lemieux of Laval University and his research in the 80s and 90's on Ramial Chipped Wood? Bois Raméal Fragmenté ?  Ramial Chipped Wood (RCW) is hardwood chipped branches and twigs lay down as top mulch on a variety of landscapes at that, only every 3 years. There are claims that RCW can boost soil fertility and replace fossil fuel inputs (fertilizers and pesticides)[i][i]. There could be potentially be markets in horticulture, agriculture and silviculture. An introduction to RCW is "raw material consists of the twigs and branches of trees<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tree> and woody shrubs<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrub>, preferably deciduous<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deciduous>, including small limbs up to 7 cm. in diameter. It is processed into small pieces (5-10cm) by chipping<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodchipper>, and the resulting product has a relatively high ratio of cambium<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambium_(botany)> to cellulose<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulose> compared to other chipped wood products. Thus, it is higher in nutrients and is an effective promoter of the growth of soil fungi<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungi> and of soil-building<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedogenesis> in general." Wikipedia.

I got this from the Permaculture side. Peter Bane says that "Young growth on woody plants (up to about finger size) is very rich in enzymes, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients…with all species where this ramial wood (or what the English coppicers call brash) is cut and applied as mulch it breaks down into humus fairly rapidly. Rates of decay are of course influenced by moisture and the degree of soil contact but we should see woody plants as a prime source of fertilizer and mulch to maintain our garden farms and fields.[ii][ii]"

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[i][i] Lemieux, Giles, Laval University. "Fundamentals of Forest Ecosystem Pedogenetics ", British Columbia Ministry of Forestry, Victoria, BC.

[ii][ii] Bane, Peter, The Permaculture Handbook, New Society Publishers, Gabriola Island  BC, 2012, Pg. 314


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