Admitting defeat

Hawthorn branches are fed to the goats nearly every day. The goats eat the leaves and some of the twigs. I extract from what is felt any sticks that can be used for firewood. But what is left just keeps on building up. I was hoping to shred it all to create a mulch which can be used on vegetable beds or in the duck run but this was just not able to happen. I had to admit defeat and burnt the twigs and thin sticks. I felt it was something of a defeat but the heap had to be brought under control and disposed of or else it would take over the allotment.