Wood Chips, Mulch & The Release Of Carbon Dioxide

There is a debate about whether grinding trees or tree parts into mulch is a form of recycling. At CitiLogs we feel it can only fit the narrowest definition of recycling, and that there are much better alternative uses for the wood. We acknowledge that wood chips and mulch will eventually break down, adding organic matter to the soil, and that some part of that organic matter will be used as the building blocks for new growth in trees and plants growing nearby. However, any benefit of the increase in organic matter should be compared to the harm done by the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Trees are roughly 50% carbon (dry weight).(1) To grow a pound of wood, a tree uses 1.47 pounds of carbon dioxide and gives off 1.07 pounds of oxygen.(2) In the United States forests absorb about 12% of the carbon from fossil fuel emissions. On a global basis, forest carbon sequestration may be as much as 30%.(3) When trees die and start to decompose, microorganisms break down the dead organic matter to produce energy. In the process, some of the locked up carbon is released back into the atmosphere. Grinding trees into wood chips and mulch accelerates the decomposition process, thereby accelerating the release of a greenhouse gas building block. However, if it is used for durable wood products such a construction materials or furniture, the carbon can remain stored for centuries.

Many colleges, institutions, governments and businesses have an ongoing need for finished wood products. Whether it is a stockpile for a maintenance department to pull from, or the need for new furniture in the cafeteria or conference room - there is an ongoing need for wood. CitiLog can create those finished wood products and in doing so sequester that carbon for generations.

To learn more, please read our article on Carbon Sequestration

(1) Forest Ecology Network - reference link
(2) Forest Ecology Network - reference link
(3) Forest Ecology Network - reference link