Creating a Sustainable Garden with Rotting Logs and Woodchips on the Permaculture Homestead

In nature we see rotting logs on every forest floor. These fallen trees provide shelter and food to insects, small critters, and mushrooms. They contribute to the greater mycorrhizal network, add nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to soil, and provide a place to grow a mushroom crop.

​Rotting logs and large wood chunks can be a great addition to growing spaces and fruit tree guilds. There needs to be a Nitrogen to Carbon balance in any natural decomposition cycle. Carbon items like logs need nitrogen to break down. But already rotting logs requires less nitrogen and, therefore, will soak up less from tree soil. Add compost around trees in addition to green guild members to balance out nitrogen.

Video Time Stamps:
0:00 The role of logs in nature
0:56 How logs decompose
1:52 Using rotted stumps on our homestead
2:37 Using Black Walnut wood (juglone concerns)
3:22 Spreading rotted log mulch in fruit tree guilds
4:40 Why I prefer rotted chips and wood for tree mulch
4:59 Moisture control with larger chunks of rotting wood
5:37 Maintaining soil nitrogen levels with guild member growth
6:18 Garden pro-tip

Relevant sources and information:
Ecosystem Processes Related to Wood Decay
Can I use woodchips from walnut as mulch in my landscape?