Biochar
Emerging research is revealing that biochar is one of the most powerful amendments for restoring the living soil systems that sustain healthy trees.
Emma Schaffert, Martin Lukac, Glynn Percival, and Gillian Rose
A comprehensive arboriculture-focused review explaining how biochar affects soil structure, microbial habitat, nutrient retention, root growth, moisture dynamics, and transplant establishment in urban trees. It also discusses why biochar works best when integrated with mulch, compost, and other biological soil practices rather than used alone.
The article includes a strong argument explaining why biochar’s greatest potential lies in using co-composted biochar to build biologically active, carbon-rich soils that improve long-term fertility, microbial diversity, water retention, and ecological resilience.
CIRSEC, Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Italy
One of the better mechanistic studies on how biochar improves water-holding capacity, increases nutrient availability, reduces drought stress, and enhances early tree establishment. Particularly useful for understanding biochar’s role in urban forestry and climate resilience.