Mulch Prices to Soar!

You had to see this one coming.  Years ago I played in a golf tournament with a gentleman who owned a lumber mill on the west coast.  He was shocked to learn that the bark and other waste from his lumber operations actually had value to landscapers as mulch.  You bet!  In fact, shredded hardwood bark is superior as a mulch because it decomposes much more slowly (due to its lignin content) than wood mulch (which is predominantly cellulose).

An article in today's Wall Street Journal - "Sawdust Shock - A Shortage Looms as Economy Slows" - accurately points out that by-products of the lumber milling process, namely sawdust that is used as bedding for horses and chickens, and shredded bark that is used in residential and commercial landscapes, are in very short supply.   Sawdust prices have more than doubled in the last 9 months.  As we enter a new season for landscaping here in the Midwest, and especially in Naperville, you can expect to pay approximately 15-20% more for the the material that protects your investment in your landscape.  This is compounded by increases in fuel prices that have resulted in increases over the recent years.  Incidentally, most of the mulch used in this locale is barged up from the Gulf Coast. 

Doesn't it seem that we are running out of resources to sustain the lifestyles we've created for ourselves?  This winter we ran out of salt to keep our roads safe.  Fuel prices continue to rise, although this is arguably an artificial market - cast your vote accordingly in the next election.   And now we are running out of not just a commodity, but a product that was considerate a waste-product.  Caveat Emptor!  What's next?  I suggest clean water will soon be in short supply.   Sound ridiculous?  No more ridiculous that a shortage of salt when we are surrounded mostly by salt water.