What to do with extra wood chips?

Question

I have a lot of small trees and branches at one of my houses that I would like to get rid of by sticking in a chipper. But, I don't really have a need for the wood chips. What can I do with them?

In the past, after cutting down these small trees and gathering up fallen branches, I just made a fire and put them in there. But, that's time consuming and probably not the best thing to do (yes, it is legal to burn garden waste and refuse where my house is).

I could probably use some of the chips for landscaping (maybe putting around a few evergreens), but other than that, I have no use for them. Will they decompose quickly if I put them in a pile in the woods, or is there some other way to get rid of them quickly without having unsightly piles of chips sitting around for years and years?

Thank you.

Answer 1

yes
i use small branches sometimes direct as mulch if it is all the same and a lot ,and it actually looks good

to just burn them is pointless and a waste of resource on principle,if something is legal has nothing to do with ,if it is good or not ,burning garden waste is one of the most wastefull habits of modern civilization

you can always use them on a composting process.
but the best is what you suggested ,,
put them in the chipper and use as nice looking mulch
there is no limit to mulching
the thicker you mulch ,the better your mulching effects such as containing humidity ,ground temperature ,worm devellopment and ofcourse top soil so the more mulch the more topsoil.

dont have piles of chips lying around being lazy,

spread it all out and make a good usefull ground cover .

the first thing you should always have done ,before you spread the mulch, is work on the shape of the ground
make a collection of LEVEL patches /plots/terraces/compartments
what ever you want to call them
a little bit below ground level (about a foot minimum),using the excess soil on the edges or paths ,this way the plots are very moist and decomposition is very quick,especially if you cover with leaves

and the mulch sits snug in a shape ,if there is a lot of difference in elevation connect them with little gutters,with low exits to the high part of the next one ,and you got the start of a water harvesting concept and it is self draining

Answer 2

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Answer 3

1

Answer 4

2

Answer 5

Boy, I wish that I lived near you!! I would take all the chips that you could create!!

I use chips for garden paths (2-3 inches deep). They decompose over a year or two (depending on how large/small the chips are). That is the GOOD news. If I decide that I want to change the direction of a path, I don't have to worry about removing rocks that don't decompose!

I use chips around my raised vegetable boxes. I use chips (3-5 inches deep) in the back part of my yard to prevent weeds and to allow me to walk out there when it is wet and rainy (no mud!!!).

After I plant new plants, I use chips (2 inches deep) as mulch around the plantings to keep the moisture in and the weeds out!

Yes they will decompose -- that is the GOOD part.

Anyplace where you want to discourage weeds is a good place to put the chips. Because they are organic, you can always plant there later!

You could also put them under a swing set or playground.

I am SO jealous!

Good Luck! I am sure that you can find a good use for them in your yard!

Answer 6

Use them, just add a little extra nitro. If using them around trees leave a little gap space. (you should do this anyway) I have used fresh wood chips many, many times without problem. They break down quickly. They help to loosen the soil and they are attractive. And they do make a great ground cover if you lay cardboard down first. The cardboard helps to keep them from decomposing as fast. Of course they will need to be replenished by the latest new year. The 'relishing factor' will depend on where you live. Don't pay to have them hauled away. If you don't want them run an add in freecycle. Some other thrifty gardener will take them off your hands. :) Hope this helps.

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Answer 7

Most people would give an arm for your problem, man I would just simply put them in a pile somewhere and allow them to get wet of course and in a year or so that can be put on anything to help it grow. You can dig a pit to put them in if you don't mind the work and that way they will compost more easily.

Answer 8

extra wood chips

Answer 9

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Answer 10

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