Can the proximity of an open bottomed compost bin cause damage to nearby plants and trees?

My plum tree (healthy until the compost was placed nearby), my camelia, and even some nasturtiums have become very unhealthy, the camelia nearly dead, the plum with dying branches. Even the nasturtiums have failed to thrive. Could this be caused by an imbalance in the soil due to leeching from the compost? I have moved the bin, and the camelia, but the tree looks very ill. What can I do to correct the soil if this is in fact so, and if not, any ideas what could be causing this? A neighbour's lilac tree also died this spring, only feet from this bin. It is normal garden and kitchen waste. Help please!!

Can the proximity of an open bottomed compost bin cause damage to nearby plants and trees?
Maybe if it has some diseases in it, but normally no, it would help by giving the soil some of the nutrient and minerals lost used plants grow
Reply:Could be that the plants you wish to encourage are being upset by a change in Ph (acidity / alkalinity) due to the effect of the composting .... or it could be something else like drought or a leaking sewer. Determine the soil types and environment that your plants prefer. A soil testing kit might provide some clues or, empirically, try moving the compost bin and observe the results.
Reply:hmmm lets think logically here..you are composting household waste to use on your garden and you think it is already killing/making sick the plants nearby? I think it is likely your cause of sickness is something else! Maybe a cat's urine.....or something in the soil already?? I would take a soil sample down to your friendly gardening centre. Explain to one of them..I don't mean one of your high street ones..like B%26amp;Q I mean a real good old fashioned family type one where people know what they are talking about. If you are really worried it may be something coming up through the soil check with environmental health...it may be something to do with what is way down under your estate......maybe the waters/floods have brought something nasty to the surface???
Reply:This is most unusual unless you are putting something else in the compost bin to help it break down
Reply:I am no expert but I think open bottomed compost bins are not good in close proximity to any plant as the soil in the near area becomes very rich and causes plants to die . I have heard of this before , you need to get some concrete paving under your bin
Reply:if the pile is close enuff and big enuff, it could be the heat from it's 'cooking' or it's deep enuff to have cut off the oxygen available thru the soil surface to the plants..... move the pile....
Reply:I am sorry to read about your trees etc I have used one for many years with no effects on the plants and shrubs hiding it.


A thought is that if they did affect plants and shrubs they would'nt be so popular or given away by local councils
Reply:if you havent put some kind of chemical in the bin it should rot down ok without any danger to outside plants.

plants flowers