Wood chips produced as a byproduct of a chippers are a substantial organic resource, often available in large volumes after tree work. Rather than viewing this material as waste, it can be repurposed to provide significant benefits across a property. Wood chips offer a sustainable option for improving soil health, maintaining landscapes, and creating durable surfaces. The following applications detail distinct ways to utilize this versatile material.
Using Wood Chips for Landscape Mulching
Applying wood chips as a surface mulch is one of the most common uses in ornamental beds and around trees and shrubs. A layer of organic material placed on the soil surface suppresses weed growth by blocking sunlight. This practice also helps regulate soil temperature, keeping the ground cooler during summer months and insulating against rapid temperature swings.
Proper application is essential to maximize the benefits of wood chip mulch without harming plants. A layer approximately two to four inches deep is sufficient to retain moisture and prevent weed seed germination. This depth allows water to penetrate the soil while slowing evaporation.
A common mistake to avoid is creating a “mulch volcano,” where chips are piled high against the base of a tree trunk. Piling wood chips directly against the bark traps moisture, encouraging rot, decay, and fungal diseases. The correct technique is to spread the mulch in a flat, donut shape, keeping the material pulled back several inches from the trunk flare. This ensures proper gas exchange at the base of the tree and prevents rodents from nesting against the bark.
Integrating Chips into Soil Improvement
Wood chips can be transformed into a valuable soil amendment, but this requires managing their high carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio. Fresh wood chips typically have a C:N ratio of several hundred to one, meaning decomposing microorganisms require substantial nitrogen. If fresh chips are mixed directly into the topsoil, microbes draw available nitrogen from the surrounding earth, temporarily tying it up.
This phenomenon, known as nitrogen drawdown or immobilization, can temporarily starve nearby plants of the nitrogen needed for growth, resulting in yellowing leaves and reduced vigor. Therefore, fresh wood chips should generally remain on the soil surface as mulch or be actively composted before incorporation. The nitrogen depletion effect is largely limited to the narrow interface where the mulch meets the soil, not affecting established plants with deep root systems.
To decompose wood chips for soil health, they must be combined with materials rich in nitrogen, such as fresh grass clippings, manure, or other green waste. This mixing is necessary to bring the overall C:N ratio closer to the ideal range of 25:1 to 30:1 for rapid microbial action. When added to a compost pile, the rigid structure of wood chips maintains aeration, preventing compaction and promoting efficient decomposition.
A longer-term soil building method involves utilizing chips as a structural layer in raised beds or garden mounds, often called hugelkultur. The wood chips are buried deep beneath the growing layer, where they slowly decompose over several years. As the buried wood breaks down, it acts like a sponge, retaining moisture and gradually releasing nutrients into the soil profile.
Creating Durable Surfaces and Structures
Beyond gardening, the density and bulk of wood chips make them an excellent material for creating durable, functional surfaces across a property. Laying down a thick layer of four to six inches of chips creates informal pathways and trails that suppress weeds and minimize soil compaction. The loose material provides a soft, well-draining surface comfortable for walking and reduces mud accumulation in high-traffic areas.
Wood chips are widely used as a protective surfacing material beneath children’s playground equipment due to their shock-absorbing properties. For fall protection, official guidelines often require a minimum depth, such as twelve inches, to meet safety standards (ASTM and CPSC). The specific depth required depends on the equipment’s fall height, as a deeper layer is necessary to safely attenuate the impact.
Wood chips are effective in mitigating soil erosion, particularly on slopes or in areas prone to washing out. Applying a blanket of chips stabilizes the bare soil surface, protecting it from the impact of heavy rain and slowing the velocity of water runoff. This application is useful in newly graded areas or around rain gardens, where the chips filter water and promote infiltration.
Non-Gardening Uses and Responsible Removal
The utility of wood chips extends beyond typical landscape management. Dried wood chips can be used as biomass fuel in specialized wood-burning stoves or boilers, providing a renewable heat source. For outdoor cooking, certain hardwood chips, once dried, can be utilized in smokers to impart flavor.
Wood chips are frequently used for animal bedding, particularly for larger livestock like horses, due to their absorbent nature. When used in chicken coops or livestock pens, the chips absorb moisture and odors. The animals’ high-nitrogen droppings initiate the composting process, creating a ready-made soil amendment. Caution is advised for some smaller pets, as the dust or resins from certain wood types can be irritating.
When the volume of chips exceeds a property’s needs, responsible removal and sharing options are important. Local municipalities or community gardens often accept wood chips for use in public spaces and composting programs. It is common practice to offer excess chips to neighbors or contact local arborists, who sometimes maintain a list of residents willing to accept a load for free.