Jump to content

  • WELCOME GUEST

    It looks as if you are viewing PalmTalk as an unregistered Guest.

    Please consider registering so as to take better advantage of our vast knowledge base and friendly community.  By registering you will gain access to many features - among them are our powerful Search feature, the ability to Private Message other Users, and be able to post and/or answer questions from all over the world. It is completely free, no “catches,” and you will have complete control over how you wish to use this site.

    PalmTalk is sponsored by the International Palm Society. - an organization dedicated to learning everything about and enjoying palm trees (and their companion plants) while conserving endangered palm species and habitat worldwide. Please take the time to know us all better and register.

    guest Renda04.jpg

Fireproofing for mulch woodchips?

DoomsDave

By DoomsDave
in DISCUSSING PALM TREES WORLDWIDE

 Share

Recommended Posts

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
Posted

Those who've visited me know that my palm garden is mulched with wood chips. Which can be a fire hazard.

I'm looking into the possibility of either changing them to something else (like what?) or maybe treating them with flame retardant to reduce the hazard.

Here's a recipe I found, any thought-out thoughts would be appreciated.

https://www.hunker.com/13401329/how-to-make-wood-fire-resistant

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

awkonradi Mentor

awkonradi

Posted
Posted (edited)

Hey Dave, I'm a chemist.  The concentrations of zinc, iron, borate, ammonium, and phosphate in that recipe are quite high.  As you would know, those elements are essential nutrients for palms, but I am concerned that spraying enough of this mixture on your mulch to actually retard flames would put your palms at risk of "fertilizer burn".  That mixture also would be quite acidic.

Most of the ferric chloride will turn into ferric oxide (rust) and hydrochloric acid upon contact with wood, soil, and water.  Some of the zinc chloride will turn into zinc oxide (1970's sun block) and hydrochloric acid.  The ferric oxide and zinc oxide may stay on your mulch for a while.  The boric acid, ammonium phosphate, and generated hydrochloric acid will leach into your soil as fast as irrigation or rain can take them there.

Edited by awkonradi
  • Like 3

Andrei W. Konradi, Burlingame, California.  Vicarious appreciator of palms in other people's gardens and in habitat

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah, thanks @awkonradi!

I found out from posting in another forum that "retardants" might not help that much anyway. Note this link.

https://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/nr/2011/sp1104.pdf

So, I'll just dump more mulch and try to keep it moist if flames come near.

Realistically, I'm not in a fire-prone area, since there's no forest upwind, and the palms themselves won't burn. 

(No, that's NOT what the good people of Paradise thought; they knew they were in a firetrap.)

On the other hand, disaster can strike unexpectedly.

On the other, no point in worrying, just try to make an honest assessment and act mindfully.

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

awkonradi Mentor

awkonradi

Posted
Posted

Sounds like a good plan to me.

Andrei W. Konradi, Burlingame, California.  Vicarious appreciator of palms in other people's gardens and in habitat

Gonzer Grand Master

Gonzer

Posted
Posted

Your house'll burn down before your garden.

  • Like 2

 

 

Tyrone Grand Master

Tyrone

Posted
Posted

Get a large water tank and put sprinklers through your garden and on your roof hooked up to a gasoline powered pump. If a fire gets close turn it on and flood the place. Fire won’t touch it provided you don’t run out of water and your garden will love it.

Millbrook, "Kinjarling" Noongar word meaning "Place of Rain", Rainbow Coast, Western Australia 35S. Warm temperate. Csb Koeppen Climate classification. Cool nights all year round.

 

 

DoomsDave Grand Master

DoomsDave

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Gonna scream!

Let's keep our forum fun and friendly.

Any data in this post is provided 'as is' and in no event shall I be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from accuracy or lack thereof, insult, or lost profits or revenue, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of my opinion or the use of this data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and I disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use my data. Other terms may apply.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing



  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...