What is Biochar?

A couple years ago we removed some buckthorn, an invasive species, from the wooded area near the lake.  We then piled the brush on top of an existing brush pile.  Not wanting to just burn the pile releasing all the smoke, carbon, and VOC's into the atmosphere we learned that creating biochar could be a better option.  

Luckily we were able to coordinate and host a biochar demonstration put on by Great River Greening to educate us all on the process.  

Biochar is created by burning wood products (i.e. brush) in a kiln under high heat with low oxygen.  The high heat and low oxygen burns the brush with minimal smoke trapping up to 80% of the carbon in the char.  The kiln reached a temperature of 1,350°F (hot enough to melt aluminum!).  The fire is contained at the top allowing the char to fall to the bottom. Once most of the brush is burned, at just the right time, the fire is quenched with water to prevent the biochar from turning into ash.

Great River Greening brought their "Ring of Fire" kiln and did all the work to setup and burn the brush pile in the kiln creating a nice pile of biochar!

Why Biochar?  

We want to restore our oak savanna pastures by removing buckthorn and allowing native grasses and flowers to grow under a more open tree canopy.  Oak savannas, once abundant, are now one of our most endangered ecosystems.  These savannas provide critical habitat to many plant and animal species.

Typically large piles of buckthorn and other brush are disposed of through an “open pile burn” on the ground.  "Open pile burns” release all of the carbon and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere. It also leaves a burn scar which damages the healthy microbes and seeds in the soil below.

Biochar not only eliminates the negative effects of open pile burns but also provides a valuable resource.  Some of the benefits and uses of biochar include the following:

• Biochar boosts microbial activity which leads to faster decomposition of organic matter

• Added to a compost pile biochar balances the high nitrogen with stable carbon

• Increases water infiltration and nutrient availability

• Biochar's porous structure can store water and slowly release as needed - mitigating risk of drought and flood

• Reduces fertilizer needs when added to soil

• Sequesters carbon into the soil

Now we need to decide where to spread the biochar and see what happens!!!