Disposal of woody debris and vegetative matter from forest fuel reduction treatments is a challenge and alternatives to conventional methods of pile burning and chipping are being considered. The construction of hugels is proposed as a debris management technique that would configure debris on site in a less flammable state. Flammability of piled debris (hugels) and the productivity of hugel construction are key considerations in assessing the viability of this debris disposal method.
Another consideration in assessing hügelkultur as a long-term debris management strategy is the decomposition of hugels and the evolving flammability of hugels. Research literature does not speak directly to the changing flammability of piled debris (and more specifically hugels), but this literature search attempts to locate material relevant to decomposition of woody debris in a hugelkultur environment.