Wood chips work great for mulch! Why are they not used more often? That is a question I cannot answer!
Wood Chips for Mulch!
This picture shows some pine chips that have been sitting under my Screwbean Mesquite for several years. As you can see, they are not uniform in size or color – giving them a more natural look than the bark mulch you can buy in bags. I have several customers that want chips from time to time. When they mulch their trees with chips, the trees really respond with exceptional growth!
It is important when applying chips to make the layer only about 3-4″ deep and to be SURE to not pile the chips up against the trunk of the tree. I usually pull the chips away from my trees so there is a bare area of about 2-3″ around the trunk. Mulch piled against the trunk can cause stress to the tree and problems down the road… The tree can benefit if the chips are applied all the way out to the dripline and beyond! That could call for a lot of chips if you have large trees. But, that gets us to another advantage of wood chips over rock mulch – you can often get them for FREE from a tree service! You will either have to spread them yourself, or hire a laborer to do it for you, but the material costs nothing. Granite can’t compete with that!
A new Ironwood with wood mulch applied!
One reason we don’t see more people using wood chips as mulch is because there are landscapers who sell decomposed granite (rock) mulch who are spreading rumors about chips. I have heard that wood chips don’t work here in the desert because they “pull moisture out of the ground”. That is not true!
Dr. Mary Olsen, Specialist, Division of Plant Pathology and Microbiologyfrom Arizona State University (pers comm) stated that “I initiated a study here in Tucson that was done at the UA farm in 2000-2001 that showed that both large and small bark kept soil more moist and cooler than decomposed granite or the untreated control (statistically significant). Unfortunately the student who was supposed to be doing the project did not complete his part, and I never published the results anywhere…”
There is also a great web article on using wood chips for mulch by Linda Chalker-Scott, Ph.D. MasterGardener, WSU editor, Extension Urban Horticulturist and Associate Professor, Puyallup Research and Extension Center, Washington State University Puyallup, Washington here which dispels many of the concerns about wood chips for use as mulch.
I will say, that I have seen wood chips wash badly during thunderstorms when used on steeply sloped terrain. I have used them on raised berms in my yard (picture above) and have seen no evidence of washing. However, this might be something you would want to consider with regard to mulch choice.
If you have a relatively flat area with trees, wood chips can be the perfect mulch!
If you would like to try some wood chips for mulch, give me a call and I will put you on my list. We will deliver them free if we are in the area (dump trailer accessible areas, no spreading included). We work all over the Valley, so if you can be patient for a little bit, I am sure we can get you some chips! You (and your trees) will be glad that you did!
I want a load of wood chips for my garden and other places on my property call me to set up delivery time and place. Thanks so much! 253-891-8071
Bonnie, sorry this comment went un-noticed so long! We are always looking for uses for chips! I’ll call tomorrow and we will arrange for something. Thanks! Paul
I would like to try wood chips, may be about 3 cubic yards to start with. Thanks.
253 539 7560
Hi, Can I get your address? The other person who wanted chips and had your same phone area code was from Washington state – we are near Phoenix AZ! Where are you located? Thank you, Paul
I just planted 10 – 24 gallon Chilean Mesquites, so yes I would love to take a lot of wood chips off your hands.
Thank you
Len, What is your address? We will have chips on several jobs coming up – hopefully in your area!
I’d like to try wood chips. I think I need about 30 cubic yards. I live in Puyallup , WA.
near South Hill area. I am willing to pay for delivery if the chips are free. Please email me or call me 253-209-4574. Thank you so much.
my address: 14213 68th Ave E Puyallup
Thanks.
I would love to, but we are located near Phoenix AZ and can’t bring them that far! See if you can find a local tree service company and I think they should be willing to drop a load for you.
I would love wood chips for my garden! I know my parents would as well. We are in N. Phoenix (Desert Ridge), and parents are in Peoria. My phone number is 602-292-0811. A few questions, do you know if I can put them over my existing rock, or should I shovel that all away first? Also, does using wood chips encourage termites? Thank you!!
Probably best to put the chips right on the soil. Termites are everywhere here in the desert. They will likely eat the chips, but I would not think it would “encourage” them to become a problem for your house. I will call about scheduling a load!
Hello, I have been looking for wood chips for quite some time now. I would love as much as you can provide, I have 15 fruit trees and a garden that would love them. I live in Peoria, Arizona and I am willing to pick them up if needed. Whatever is easiest for you.
Jeffrey,
We don’t often have chips that are not full of thorns and stickers. The loads we do have would all be in Wickenburg and I would not be able to bring them down. We chip into a chip truck that dumps – not sure how you are thinking of getting them, but they are not nice to shovel. Let me know what you’re thinking.
Paul