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gloriag Floyd, VA(Zone 6b) May 17, 2006

It seems as this might be the most appropriate forum for this. I just had our local tree trimmers dump about a half truck load of wood chips in my back yard. I know that they will leach out nutrients if I use them right away, won't they. If I do use them right away, what can I use to prevent the excess acidity and the leaching of nutrients? How much should I use on the chips when they are in place?

I surely hope I didn't get a nest of copperheads as one old gardening couple did years ago when they got their chips. All the chips came from my street, and we are copperhead free I believe.

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bigcityal Appleton, WI(Zone 5a) May 18, 2006

I am not aware of any leaching of nutrients from fresh wood chips or acidity involved either. They will dry fast and be a little more 'sterile' - no breakdown and adding organic matter. Decomposing wood will use up nitrogen as part of the process. This really isn't a factor unless they are around plants that need the nitrogen.
Are you talking about how deep to lay the chips? 2-3" is usually ok, you could go thicker if it doesn't interfere with existing plants.
Al

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Horseshoe Efland, NC(Zone 7a) May 18, 2006

gloriag...

if your tree trimmers just chipped those trees, I doubt you'll need to worry about copperheads. (All those chips mostly likely came from trees/branches and such that were actively growing and copperheads don't live in trees.)

As for using them now...they are safe to use as mulch, above ground. They will only steal N from your plants/soil if you till them into the ground, near the root systems of your plants. They are perfectly fine to use ON the ground, but I wouldn't recommend you till them INTO the ground at this time.

As for "excess acidity", again, using them as mulch shouldn't have an adverse affect on the pH of your soil.

"How much should I use on the chips when they are in place?" I'm not quite sure what you mean by that sentence, sorry.

All in all...congrats on getting some free mulch! Enjoy it! Ya done good! :>)

Shoe.




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