Bill -
Wow I'd like to have seen that (ok maybe from a distance).
What needs to happen is to cause the urushiol oil to be altered or break down into another form (such as through oxidation). Apparently, heat is the key here and I'm sure that's why the suggestion of cow manure. But insufficient heat will do nothing for the pile. I've found references which support composting and state clearly that the urushiol can be broken down. I've found others that state categorically that this is not the case. Now from what I know about urushiol oil, I'd be in the first group that the plants can be composted BUT care must be taken otherwise the pile will be toxic.
Here's a thread on a composting message board about the heat process:
Skin reaction from compost
Note the anectdotal evidence of someone inhaling compost in the works which had poison oak in it and ending up getting cortisone shots.
Now poison oak is a woody plant and needs to be shredded for composting. Yup - that should be interesting. Here's a message on that same board which discusses this in more detail:
Poison ivy composting
So if you are serious about wanting to compost this pile, you'll need to shred the vines and create a hot pile. Here's a reference on how to build a hot pile: How to encourage a hot compost pile. The key to a good and hot compost pile is a mix of greens and browns (like leaf matter and grass), good aeration, and moisture. You've got to get the pile hot enough to cause the breakdown of the urushiol oil and of course plant matter. I would imagine the black tarp and cow manure is to get the pile to heat up but if you haven't shredded the vines, it would take awhile to break down.
I hope someone else out there has other ideas? |
