Mulch

[Nanjizal]

Hi,
I have recently cut down and shredded a large laurel. Is there a use for the green product on my allotment? Can i use it as a mulch, can i compost it, will it rot down ok, or will it be too green? Advice much appreciated. Nanjizal

[tigerella]

I wouldn't personally. Generally, any evergreen shrubs hold little nutrient value for composting, it's too woody and the leaves take forever to rot down, thus not giving lots of good stuff back to the compost/soil.

The leaves also contain the toxin prussic acid, in effect, cyanide. I doubt it could cause trouble to the soil, so maybe as a decorative mulch on pathways or around the edge of your ground it will be ok.