Can Discarded Sheep Wool from Skirting and Tagging be Used as Heavy Mulch in Reforestation to Eliminate the Need for Herbicides?

Wool Mulch 2024 - 2025 Map

The viability of Tag wool as a sustainable alternative to herbicides in reforestation will be determined through the following key research objectives:

• Efficacy Test: What is the comparative effectiveness of Tag wool mulch in fostering seedling growth when contrasted with herbicide application?
• Cost-Benefit Analysis: What is the cost-effectiveness of using Tag wool mulch in comparison to herbicides for reforestation purposes?
• Impact Assessment: What potential outcomes in terms of environmental, economic, and social factors when considering the adoption of Tag wool in reforestation efforts?

Efficacy Test

To compare the efficacy of the wool mulch compared to herbicides we will conduct a series of tests and monitor key metrics over the length of the project. 

The steps to achieve this objective include:

1. Designate Testing Site: The testing site will comprise 4 plots, each approximately 1.16 acres in size bringing the total testing site to approximately 4.63 acres. 
   1. Site 1 (Control): The control plot will be planted with seedlings at normal spacing, but not applied with herbicide or wool mulch.
   2. Site 2 (Herbicide Treatment): We will plant seedlings and apply herbicide in a 4 ft radius around each tree.
   3. Site 3 (Wool Treatment 2’): We will plant seedlings and apply wool mulch in a 1 ft radius surrounding each tree.
   4. Site 4 (Wool Treatment 4’): We will plant seedlings and apply wool mulch in a 2 ft radius surrounding each tree.
2. Purchase Materials: In July of 2024, the PI will procure the key materials for the project. 
   1. Seedlings Redwood Styro 15 CU CM
   2. Herbicide
      1. Cleantraxx
      2. Polaris Herbicide
      3. Concentrated Roundup
      4. Grounded Adjuvent
      5. High Light Blue Dye
   3. Vexar
   4. Tag Wool
   5. Testing/monitoring Equipment
      1. Soil Tests (for nitrogen)
      2. Moisture Meters
      3. Soil Thermometers
3. Prepare Testing Site: In November of 2024, the PI will flag off and prepare the testing sites with heavy equipment that will include clearing slash ground cover, creating windrows, and applying pre-emergence herbicide to Site 2.  
4. Seedling Planting & Mulch Application: In December of 2024, the PI will plant the seedlings and apply the mulch. 
   1. Trees will be planted across all four Sites with 8ft spacing between (approximately 720 trees per 1.16 acre Site)
   2. Site 3 will be applied with a 1 ft radius (4 lbs) of wool mulch approximately 8” thick around each seedling tree.
   3. Site 4 will be applied with a 2 ft radius (15 lbs) of wool mulch approximately 8” thick around each seedling tree.
5. Monitoring and Data Capture: In June of 2025, the PI and co-PI will conduct the first of three annual rounds of tests and data capture procedures. 
   1. Measure Moisture Retention
      1. Use the moisture meters to take a reading at five random tree seedling per plot
      2. Readings to be measured at 12” deep and 12” away from the base of selected tree
      3. Record data points on Project Data spreadsheet (google doc) (accessible by phone)
      4. Repeat June 2026 and 2027
   2. Measure Temperature Regulation
      1. Use the soil thermometers to take a reading at five random tree seedling per plot
      2. Readings to be measured at 12” deep and 12” away from the base of selected tree
      3. Record data points on Project Data spreadsheet (google doc) (accessible by phone)
      4. Repeat June 2026 and 2027
   3. Measure Slow-Release Nitrogen
      1. Use soil tests to take a five readings at random tree seedlings per plot
      2. See exhibit A for detailed soil sampling procedure
   4. Visually Monitor Tree Vitality
      1. Assess planted trees on a 1 to 5 scale, with 1 being very near dead and 5 being perfectly green and healthy
      2. Assess 10 random trees per plot
      3. Record data points on Project Data spreadsheet (google doc) (accessible by phone)
   5. Visually Monitor Weed Competition
      1. Evaluate weed competition using the "percent cover" visual estimation method. We will take photographs of 10 random seedlings and immediate surrounding ground cover (4 ft radius) comparing it to photographic baseline samples representing increments of 25%. In this context, 0% signifies the absence of visible vegetation competition, 25% indicates the presence of some vegetative competition, and 50% and 75% represent increasing coverage, with 100% denoting full visual vegetative coverage
      2. Log 10 random “percent cover” estimates per plot 
      3. Record data points on Project Data spreadsheet (google doc) (accessible by phone)
6. Create a Detailed Report: Using the data and photographs collected in the Project Data spreadsheet. and photographs, we will create a report using simple summary statistics to demonstrate the comparative findings among plots. 

Cost-Benefit Analysis

In order for these findings to demonstrate that Tag wool is a viable alternative to herbicides, we not only will have to show that it is just as effective at promoting growth, but also that it is at least as cost effective as herbicide application. 

To determine the cost-effectiveness we will generate a simple economic assessment comparing the two practices. During treatments, we will track inputs of labor and all other inputs to establish each plot. The results of the economic assessment will leave us with a fully loaded cost per acre and cost per tree for each method and better understanding of the tradeoffs between ecological and economic benefits of each vegetation control strategy during reforestation efforts in the region. 

Impact Assessment

Using the results from the Efficacy test and the Cost-Benefit Analysis, we will generate an impact assessment that summarizes the outcomes of the project in terms of their effects on the environment, our economy, and local communities. This assessment will form the basis of the material used in our Education Plan below.