Since all parts of the cherry laurel are poisonous, many garden owners are unsure whether the abundant tree cuttings can be safely composted. In principle, you can also compost the leaves and chopped branches of the laurel cherry without any problems, but you should keep a few points in mind.
Can you compost cherry laurel clippings?
Cherry laurel clippings can be easily composted as long as they are properly chopped and mixed with other garden waste. The composting process completely breaks down the toxins contained in it, so that the finished compost soil can be used without any concerns.
Create compost correctly
Leaves and garden waste rot into valuable humus within nine months in a properly constructed compost heap. In order for composting to take place undisturbed, the composting material must be correctly composed. It is important to mix soft clippings with coarse material and dry waste from the garden. Hard cuttings such as leaves and twigs of cherry laurel, placed in a thick layer, only rot very slowly. Grass clippings, on the other hand, decompose in the absence of air and begin to rot. If there are too many dry components in the compost, it must be additionally moistened so that the composting process continues.
Shredding clippings
So that the hard, leathery leaves and branches of the laurel cherry decompose quickly, it is important to chop or shred the garden waste. During this activity you can smell an intense bitter almond aroma, which comes from the glycosides contained in the plant. Be sure to wear gloves when carrying out this work so that the skin does not come into contact with the toxins. Although poisoning is ruled out through pure skin contact, the glycosides can trigger severe allergies.
What happens to the toxins contained in the plant?
Nature knows no poisons and the microorganisms responsible for composting are easily able to transform the laurel cherry clippings into non-toxic humus. Through the composting process, the toxins in the cherry laurel are completely biodegraded. The glycosides contained in the plant can no longer be detected in the rotted compost soil. You can also spread the mature compost soil on vegetable beds without any worries.
Aids that speed up the composting process
So that the hard leaves of the cherry laurel rot better, it is recommended to use compost starter. The addition of mineral additives is also advisable. Can be used:
- Stone powder in the finest grinding. These promote crumb formation.
- Calcareous products that neutralize the tannic acids contained in cherry laurel.
- Lime increases the pH value of the compost and promotes rapid rotting.
Tips & Tricks
You can also use the chopped tree cuttings mixed with bark mulch to mulch the hedge. The slowly rotting plant material not only keeps the soil warm and free of weeds, but also serves to improve the soil.
