What to do with wood chips

Landowners often find themselves with an abundance of wood chips after tree removal, major pruning or stump grinding.

Wood chips, far from being a waste product, are a valuable resource for gardening, landscaping, and a wide range of eco-friendly applications. The debris leftover from a wood chipper has plenty of uses, from fueling your property's compost pile or wood burning stove, to decorating your vegetable garden with a carbon rich material.

There are many different uses for wood debris, and this article will introduce you to 12 practical and innovative ways to use wood chips effectively.

Wood chips offer a number of benefits in landscaping, gardening, and environmental management. They're a versatile, renewable resource that can improve soil health, conserve water, and reduce waste. Their applications range from aesthetic improvements to functional solutions to common gardening challenges.

One of the most effective uses for wood chips is as organic mulch. Wood chip mulch provides several significant benefits to plants and soil:

Moisture Retention: A layer of wood chip mulch acts as a protective barrier, reducing water evaporation from the soil. This helps maintain consistent soil moisture levels, which is crucial for plant health.

Temperature Regulation: Wood chips insulate the soil, keeping it cooler in summer and warmer in winter. This temperature moderation can be especially beneficial for plant roots.

Weed Suppression: A thick layer of wood chip mulch can effectively prevent weed growth by blocking sunlight from reaching weed seeds in the soil.

Soil Improvement: As wood chips decompose, they add organic matter to the soil, improving its structure and fertility over time.

To effectively use wood chips as mulch:

• • Apply a layer 3-4 inches thick around plants and trees. This depth is sufficient to provide benefits without risking plant health

  • Keep the mulch a few inches away from plant stems and tree trunks to prevent moisture-related issues and potential pest problems

  • In vegetable gardens, apply wood chip mulch between rows to control weeds and retain moisture

  • It's worth noting that while fresh wood chips can be used immediately, allowing them to age for a few months before application can be beneficial, especially for use around sensitive plants. This aging process lets the chips begin to decompose, making them more effective at retaining moisture and less likely to compete with plants for nitrogen

Wood chips are an excellent material for creating attractive garden paths and enhancing garden beds. Applying wood chips offers several advantages:

Permeability: Unlike solid paving, wood chip paths allow water through, reducing runoff and supporting natural water cycles.

Comfort: Wood chips provide a softer walking surface compared to gravel or concrete, enhancing the garden experience.

Low Maintenance: Wood chip paths require minimal upkeep, needing only occasional replenishment as the chips decompose.

To construct a wood chip path:

• • Mark out the path area clearly

  • Excavate the path to a depth of about 2 inches

  • Line the excavated area with landscape fabric to inhibit weed growth

  • Fill the path with a 3 to 4-inch layer of wood chips. Fresh chips are ideal for this purpose, because of their larger size and slower decomposition rate

Wood chips can significantly improve both raised and ground-level garden beds:

• Soil Enhancement: As wood chips break down, they add organic matter to the soil, improving its structure and nutrient content.

• Moisture Management: A layer of wood chips on garden beds helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

• Aesthetic Appeal: Wood chips give garden beds a consistent, finished appearance.

For raised garden beds:

• • Fill the bed with whichever high-quality soil is most appropriate for your intended plants

  • Add a 2 to 3-inch layer of wood chips on the soil surface

  • When planting, simply move the chips aside to place the plants, then redistribute the chips around them

  • It's important to note that wood chips will decompose over time, requiring periodic replenishing. This gradual breakdown is beneficial for long-term soil health but means you'll need to maintain your desired depth for pathways and garden beds

Wood chips serve as an effective tool for erosion control, particularly on slopes or in areas prone to soil loss. Their application in erosion prevention offers several benefits:

Soil Stabilization: Wood chips form a protective layer over the soil, absorbing the impact of raindrops and reducing soil displacement.

Water Flow Reduction: By slowing the flow of water across the land's surface, wood chips allow more time for water absorption into the soil, decreasing runoff.

Root Support: As wood chips decompose, they contribute to soil structure and encourage root growth, which further stabilizes the soil.

To use wood chips for erosion control:

• • Apply a layer 4-6 inches deep on slopes or erosion-prone areas

  • Ensure even distribution to create a consistent protective barrier

  • On steeper slopes, consider using erosion control netting in conjunction with wood chips for enhanced stability

  • Replenish the wood chip layer annually or as needed to maintain effectiveness

  • It's important to note that while wood chips are beneficial for erosion control, they should be used in conjunction with other erosion prevention methods for severe cases or on very steep slopes

Carbon-rich wood chips play a valuable role in composting and as a soil amendment, contributing to improved soil health and structure:

Carbon Source: Wood chips are an excellent source of carbon in compost piles, balancing out nitrogen-rich materials like grass clippings and kitchen scraps, creating a healthier environment for the surrounding soil

Aeration: The size and structure of wood chips help maintain air pockets in compost piles, promoting aerobic decomposition.

Moisture Regulation: Wood chips in compost help retain moisture while preventing waterlogging.

To compost with wood chips:

• • Add wood chips as a carbon layer in your compost heap, alternating with nitrogen-rich materials

  • Aim for a ratio of about 3 parts carbon (wood chips) to 1 part nitrogen materials

  • Ensure wood chips are mixed well with other compost ingredients for efficient decomposition

You can also consider topping your potting soil with some wood chips, to maintain moisture inside the pot and create an aesthetically pleasing look.

Soil Structure Improvement: As wood chips decompose, they add organic matter to the soil, improving its structure and water-holding capacity.

Nutrient Release: While decomposing slowly, wood chips gradually release nutrients into the soil.

Microbial Activity: The presence of wood chips in soil encourages beneficial microbial activity.

To use wood chips as a soil amendment:

• • Incorporate partially decomposed wood chips into the top layer of soil

  • For heavy clay soils, use wood chips to improve drainage and aeration

  • In sandy soils, wood chips can help increase water retention and organic content

It's worth noting that fresh wood chips can temporarily tie up nitrogen in the soil as they decompose. To mitigate this, either use aged wood chips or supplement with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer when incorporating fresh chips into soil.

Wood chips are an excellent bedding material for animals, offering several advantages over traditional options like straw bedding:

Absorption: Wood chips, especially from hardwoods, are highly absorbent, effectively controlling moisture and odor in animal enclosures.

Insulation: Wood chips provide good insulation, helping maintain comfortable temperatures for animals.

Pest Deterrent: Some types of wood chips, particularly cedar, have natural pest-repelling properties.

Compostability: Used wood chip bedding can be composted, creating a valuable soil amendment.

Best practices for using wood chips as animal bedding:

Choose the right type: Avoid wood chips from toxic species like black walnut or pressure-treated wood.

Use appropriate chip size: Smaller chips work well for small animals, while larger chips or shavings are better for larger livestock.

Maintain cleanliness: Regularly remove soiled bedding and replace with fresh wood chips.

Consider animal-specific needs: For example, avoid cedar chips for small rodents as the aromatic oils can cause respiratory issues.

When transitioning from straw to wood chip bedding, monitor your animals for any signs of discomfort or allergic reactions, though these are rare.

If you have a swing set, slide or other play structure for children on your property, you may want to use your wood chips to create a soft padding around the base in your own yard. Wood chips serve as a natural, effective cushioning material for playgrounds and play structures, offering several benefits:

Impact Absorption: Wood chips provide a softer landing surface, reducing the risk of injury from falls.

Accessibility: When properly maintained, wood chip surfaces can meet ADA requirements for playground accessibility.

Drainage: Wood chips allow water to drain, reducing water pooling and mud puddles.

Cost-Effectiveness: Compared to synthetic materials, wood chips are often more economical for large play areas.

To effectively use wood chips in play areas:

Depth: Maintain a depth of 9-12 inches for adequate fall protection. The exact depth may vary based on the height of play equipment.

Containment: Use borders to keep wood chips in place and at the proper depth.

Maintenance: Regularly rake the surface to maintain even distribution and remove any foreign objects.

Replenishment: Add fresh wood chips annually or as needed to maintain proper depth.

It's important to use playground-grade wood chips, which are specially processed to minimize sharp edges and splinters. These are different from standard landscaping wood chips.

Wood chips can be an efficient and renewable source of energy when used in wood-burning stoves or biomass heating systems:

Renewable Resource: When sourced sustainably, wood chips represent a renewable energy source.

Cost-Effective: In areas with abundant wood resources, wood chip fuel can be more economical than fossil fuels.

Efficient Burning: Modern wood chip boilers can achieve high efficiency rates, often over 80%.

Considerations for using wood chips as fuel:

Moisture Content: Ideally, wood chips should have a moisture content below 30% for efficient burning.

Storage: Proper storage is crucial to maintain low moisture content and prevent decomposition.

Equipment: Specialized equipment is required for efficient wood chip burning, such as biomass boilers or gasification systems.

It's worth noting that the use of wood chips for fuel is most sustainable when using waste wood or chips from sustainable forestry practices.

Wood chips provide an excellent substrate for growing various types of mushrooms, particularly for outdoor cultivation.

Natural Habitat: Many mushroom species naturally grow on decomposing wood, making wood chips an ideal medium.

Moisture Retention: Wood chips help maintain consistent moisture levels, crucial for mushroom growth.

Nutrient Source: Partially decomposed wood chips provide nutrients for growing mushrooms.

To use wood chips for mushroom cultivation:

Choose the Right Mushroom: Species like oyster mushrooms, wine cap stropharia, and shiitake are well-suited for wood chip cultivation.

Prepare the Area: Clear a patch of ground and lay down a layer of cardboard to suppress weeds.

Add Wood Chips: Spread a 4 to 6-inch inch layer of fresh hardwood chips over the cardboard.

Inoculate: Spread mushroom spawn throughout the wood chip layer.

Maintain Moisture: Keep the wood chip bed consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Monitor and Harvest: Mushrooms typically appear within several months to a year, depending on the species and conditions.

It's important to use untreated, chemical-free wood chips for mushroom cultivation. For most mushroom species, hardwood chips are preferred over softwood.

Certain types of wood chips, particularly cedar, possess natural insect-repelling properties that can be beneficial in garden and landscape settings.

Cedar Oil: Cedar chips contain natural oils that act as a deterrent to many insects, including moths, ants, and some types of beetles.

Aromatic Properties: The strong scent of cedar can mask scents that typically attract insects to plants.

Physical Barrier: A layer of wood chips can create a physical obstacle for crawling insects.

To use wood chips as a natural insect repellent:

• • Apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of cedar wood chips around plants or in areas prone to insect problems.

  • Refresh the layer annually or as the scent diminishes to maintain effectiveness.

  • Be aware that while cedar chips repel many insects, they may not be effective against all pests.

Cedar chips should be used carefully around sensitive plants, because their strong oils can potentially affect plant growth.

Wood chips play a valuable role in the construction and function of rain gardens, which are designed to capture and filter stormwater runoff:

Water Infiltration: Wood chips help slow water flow, allowing more time for infiltration into the soil.

Filtration: As water passes through the wood chip layer, it helps filter out pollutants and sediments.

Erosion Prevention: Wood chips protect the soil surface from the impact of heavy rain, reducing erosion in the rain garden.

To incorporate wood chips in a rain garden:

• • Layer 2-3 inches of wood chips on the surface of the rain garden after planting

  • Ensure the wood chip layer is even, to promote uniform water distribution

  • Replenish the wood chip layer annually or as needed to maintain its effectiveness

Wood chips in rain gardens not only serve a functional purpose but also provide an attractive, natural appearance to these eco-friendly landscape features.

Wood chips can be an essential component in creating bug hotels, which provide habitats for beneficial insects.

Varied Habitat: Different sizes of wood chips create diverse spaces suitable for various insect species.

Moisture Retention: Wood chips help maintain humidity levels necessary for many beneficial insects.

Food Source: As wood chips decompose, they attract insects that feed on decaying wood, forming the base of a mini-ecosystem.

To create a simple bug hotel using wood chips:

• • Use a container or frame to hold the materials

  • Layer wood chips of various sizes, interspersing them with other materials like hollow stems, pine cones, and bark

  • Place the bug hotel in a sheltered area of the garden

  • Maintain humidity by occasionally misting the hotel during dry periods

Bug hotels support biodiversity in the garden and can help with natural pest control by attracting predatory insects.

Wood chips can enhance the flavor profile of foods in smoking and grilling.

Flavor Infusion: Different types of wood chips impart distinct flavors to food during the smoking process.

Moisture Control: Wood chips can help maintain moisture levels in smokers, preventing food from drying out.

Temperature Regulation: When used correctly, wood chips can help maintain consistent temperatures in smokers and grills.

Tips for using wood chips in smoking and grilling:

• Choose the right wood: Fruit woods like apple or cherry impart mild, sweet flavors, while hickory or mesquite provide stronger, more robust flavors

• Soak the chips: For longer-lasting smoke, soak the chips in water for 30 minutes before use

• Use in moderation: Too much smoke can overpower food's natural flavors

• Experiment with combinations: Mix different wood chip types to create unique flavor profiles

• Always ensure that the wood chips used for smoking food are untreated and free from any chemicals or contaminants.

Wood chips are an incredibly versatile resource. Their uses range from practical gardening solutions to creative landscaping projects. By understanding the many benefits of wood chips, landowners and gardeners can enhance their outdoor spaces while contributing to eco-friendly practices on their property.