Do thorns decompose?

[Cheryl Isaak]

My daughter (age 6) asked that as we trimmed the wild raspberries back (yet
again).

I find sources on line that say no or poorly. I'd try the experiment with
her, but she's a little young for a multiple year experiment. And previous
trimmings are not easily accessible - I've been taking them to the dump to
keep them out of my compost piles.

Cheryl

[Cereus-validus.......]

Yes, they do.

The same as any other woody plant material.

Bacteria are amazing critters that can metabolize any organic material,
including crude oil and plastics. Cellulose is not a problem for them.

"Cheryl Isaak" <chery...@adelphia.net> wrote in message
news:BF026636.4C3B4%chery...@adelphia.net...

[Bourne Identity]

I have blackberries and before I prune them I drag a Scotch pad, those
green scruffy pads for pots and non-stick surfaces, up and down the
stems to open the thorns (so to speak). It helps give the bacteria
and fungi a place to enter and they decompose MUCH faster this way.
Otherwise, they will decompose eventually, but it takes a very long
time and if you reach into the pile you will get stuck up to a year
later. Especially if there are hard core thorns like Rosa rugosa.
Ouch!

Victoria

[Fritz Oppliger]

They decompose fine.
Yes, it really helps if the vines are opened up to bacteria. If you don't
have a shredder, pile them up in your driveway and crush them with your
car by driving over the pile a few times.

Fritz

--
Fritz Oppliger

[Cheryl Isaak]

Thank you all!

I suspect they will keep going to the dump - I just don't have room for a
brush pile.

Cheryl

[Unknown]

Any estimates as to how long it might take some gnarly rose thorns to decompose? A year? 6 months? Never:\

--
For full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/garden/do-thorns-decompose-40727-.htm

[David E. Ross]

On 8/18/2021 5:15 PM, Thank you wrote:
> Any estimates as to how long it might take some gnarly rose thorns to decompose? A year? 6 months? Never:\
>

Thorns are quite woody and will take at least as long as a piece of dry
wood. I never put rose prunings into my compost.

--
David E. Ross
<http://www.rossde.com/>

I am fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with Pzifer's vaccine.
Thus, I object to wearing a mask in order to protect morons
who refuse to be vaccinated.

[songbird]

Thank you Martha wrote:
> Any estimates as to how long it might take some gnarly rose thorns to decompose? A year? 6 months? Never:\

varies based upon soil moisture and other factors.

several years. i always bury any rose trimmings deeply
enough that it isn't a problem.


songbird