A treebog is a type of

low-tech Low technology (low tech; adjective forms: low-technology, low-tech, lo-tech) is simple technology, as opposed to ''high technology''. History Historical origin Primitive technologies such as bushcraft, tools that use wood, stone, whool, ...

compost toilet. It consists of a raised platform above a compost pile surrounded by densely planted

willow trees Willows, also called sallows and osiers, from the genus ''Salix'', comprise around 400 speciesMabberley, D.J. 1997. The Plant Book, Cambridge University Press #2: Cambridge. of typically deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist so ...

or other nutrient-hungry vegetation. It can be considered an example of

permaculture Permaculture is an approach to land management and settlement design that adopts arrangements observed in flourishing natural ecosystems. It includes a set of design principles derived using whole-systems thinking. It applies these principl ...

design, as it functions as a system for converting urine and feces to biomass, without the need to handle excreta. Defecating in nature is frowned upon in most countries, as it pollutes the environment and causes health problems. High levels of open defecation are linked to high

child mortality Child mortality is the mortality of children under the age of five. The child mortality rate, also under-five mortality rate, refers to the probability of dying between birth and exactly five years of age expressed per 1,000 live births. It en ...

, poor nutrition, poverty, and large disparities between the rich and the poor. Human faeces normally take about a year to biodegrade outdoors. In the UK, a system like this is potentially legal, so long as it not in a public place, i.e. on a large private estate.

Etymology

The term "Treebog" was coined by Jay Abrahams. '' Bog'' is a

British English British English (BrE, en-GB, or BE) is, according to Oxford Dictionaries, "English as used in Great Britain, as distinct from that used elsewhere". More narrowly, it can refer specifically to the English language in England, or, more broadly ...

slang word for

toilet A toilet is a piece of sanitary hardware that collects human urine and feces, and sometimes toilet paper, usually for disposal. Flush toilets use water, while dry or non-flush toilets do not. They can be designed for a sitting position pop ...

, not to be confused with its other meaning of wetland.

History

The treebog is a simple method of composting wastes. Abrahams claims that from 1995-2011, around 1500 treebogs may have been built in Britain. In 2011, Abrahams claimed that the treebog had attracted the attention of NGOs and aid workers who hope to develop its potential for shanty towns or refugee camps - anywhere that water is scarce and the

population pressure Population pressure, a term summarizing the stress brought about by an excessive population density and its consequences, is used both in conjunction with human overpopulation and with other animal populations that suffer from too many individuals ...

on resources is high.

Plant growth

A treebog is simply a controlled

compost heap Compost is a mixture of ingredients used as plant fertilizer and to improve soil's physical, chemical and biological properties. It is commonly prepared by decomposing plant, food waste, recycling organic materials and manure. The resulting m ...

whose function has been enhanced by use of moisture or nutrient-hungry trees. They use no water, purify waste as they create a biomass resource, and also contain the organic waste material, thus preventing the spread of disease. The main requirement is that the planted species should be nutrient-hungry. It is a bonus if they can be harvested or pollarded for productive uses, e.g. willow cultivars. Apart from willows, mint will thrive around a treebog. If left unmanaged, a treebog will soon be surrounded by weed species, such as nettles. Both the solids and liquids are deposited within the treebog base, where the solids compost and the liquids soak through the soil. The roots and associated mycorrhizal species allow the nitrogen to be absorbed. The faeces should be well ventilated to allow aerobic decomposition.

Construction

Short rotation coppice (SRC) willow - geograph

A seating platform/cubicle is mounted at least one meter high. The area beneath the seating platform is enclosed by two layers of

chicken wire Chicken wire, or poultry netting, is a mesh of wire commonly used to fence in fowl, such as chickens, in a run or coop. It is made of thin, flexible, galvanized steel wire with hexagonal gaps. Available in 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) diameter, ...

or plastic mesh, which act as an effective child-proof barrier and allows air to circulate through the compost heap. Plastic mesh or chicken wire coated in plastic would prevent problems with rusting. Sawdust, straw, woodchip, ash or other high-carbon matter is used to cover the excrement and balance the high nitrogen content of the urine. One design uses bran to help mitigate the odours. The space between the two layers of mesh is stuffed with straw, which acts as a wick to help sop up excess urine, preventing the likelihood of odour problems due to incomplete biological absorption of the nitrogen from the urine. The straw-filled wire also enables the pile to be well-aerated whilst acting as a visual screen for the first year’s use. The structure is surrounded by two closely planted rows of '' Salix viminalis'' or other willow cuttings; this living wall of willow can then be woven into a hurdle-like structure and its annual growth can be harvested.

References

External links