Laastikud

Laastikud, often translated as wood chips or wood shavings, are small pieces of wood produced by chipping or shaving larger pieces of timber. This process can be done mechanically using specialized machinery like chippers or by hand. The size and shape of laastikud can vary significantly depending on the method of production and the intended use.

Historically, laastikud have served various practical purposes. In agriculture and animal husbandry, they have been widely used as bedding for livestock, providing a comfortable and absorbent surface for animals. Their absorbent nature makes them effective in managing moisture and odor. In gardening and landscaping, wood chips are commonly employed as mulch. Mulching with laastikud helps to retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, regulate soil temperature, and improve soil structure as they decompose over time.

Beyond these traditional uses, laastikud also find application in the energy sector. Wood chips are a significant source of biomass fuel, used in power plants and for heating purposes. They can be burned directly or processed into other biofuels. In some industrial settings, laastikud are used as a lightweight aggregate in concrete or as a component in the manufacturing of particleboard and other wood-based composite materials. The production of laastikud is an efficient way to utilize wood waste from logging, sawmills, and other woodworking processes, contributing to resource recovery and sustainable forestry practices.