diff --git a/mods/bg_api/init.lua b/mods/bg_api/init.lua
index 99a3c8f..c3f7650 100644
--- a/mods/bg_api/init.lua
+++ b/mods/bg_api/init.lua
@@ -24,4 +24,6 @@ load_file("increasing_abm")
 load_file("loose_node")
 load_file("fall_fix")
 
+load_file("privs")
+
 load_file("cleanup")
diff --git a/mods/bg_api/privs.lua b/mods/bg_api/privs.lua
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50dd94f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/mods/bg_api/privs.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+local modname = minetest.get_current_modname()
+
+minetest.register_privilege("control_time", "control the speed at which certain blockgame processes happen.")
diff --git a/mods/bg_tree/decompose.lua b/mods/bg_tree/decompose.lua
index 55390b6..bb2a04a 100644
--- a/mods/bg_tree/decompose.lua
+++ b/mods/bg_tree/decompose.lua
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 local modname = minetest.get_current_modname()
 local api = blockgame.tree
-local vec = blockgame.vector
 
 -- NODE NAMES
 
@@ -9,6 +8,32 @@ local leaves_decomposing = modname .. ":leaves_decomposing"
 
 
 
+local decompose_time_speed = 1
+-- TODO: add setting for this as well.
+minetest.register_chatcommand(modname .. ":set_decompose_time_speed", {
+	params = "<value>",
+	description = "set the speed at which decomposition happens.",
+	privs = {
+		control_time = true,
+	},
+	func = function (player_name, speed)
+		speed = tonumber(speed)
+		if speed == nil then
+			minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, "time speed must be a number.")
+			return
+		end
+		if speed < 0 or speed > 256 then
+			minetest.chat_send_player(player_name, "time speed must be between 0 and 256 (inclusive).")
+			return
+		end
+
+		decompose_time_speed = speed
+		minetest.chat_send_all(player_name .. " set the leaves decomposition time speed to " .. speed .. ".")
+	end,
+})
+
+
+
 local decompose_scores = {
 	dirty = 50,
 	leaves_decomposing = 30,
@@ -28,7 +53,7 @@ blockgame.register_increasing_abm({
 			return math.floor(gain / (distance ^ 3))
 		end)
 
-		return data.value + score
+		return data.value + score * decompose_time_speed
 	end,
 	check = function (pos, node, data)
 		return data.value >= start_decompose_cost
@@ -59,7 +84,7 @@ blockgame.register_increasing_abm({
 		end)
 
 		score = score + bonus
-		return data.value + score
+		return data.value + score * decompose_time_speed
 	end,
 	check = function (pos, node, data)
 		return data.value >= decompose_cost