24 Sep What to Do with Wood Chips After Tree Removal?
How to Use Wood Chips & Mulch After Tree Removal?
When a tree is removed from your property, it often leaves behind a considerable pile of wood chips or mulch. While some homeowners may see these as a burden, Gabe’s Tree Service knows that wood chips can be a valuable resource with a range of practical and creative applications.
Instead of simply discarding them, consider the following ways to repurpose wood chips after tree removal. Here are 10 options we recommend:
1. Use as Mulch
One of the most common and beneficial uses for wood chips is as mulch.
Spread them around trees, shrubs, and flower beds to help retain soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and regulate soil temperature.
Wood chip mulch breaks down slowly, enriching the soil with organic matter over time. To apply mulch effectively:
- Spread a 2-4 inch layer around your plants, keeping the mulch about an inch away from the base to prevent rot.
- Replenish the mulch annually to maintain its effectiveness and appearance.
Related: What to Plant After a Tree Removal?
2. Create Garden Pathways
Wood chips can be used to create charming, natural-looking pathways in your garden or yard. A wood chip path not only looks great but also helps suppress weeds and prevent soil erosion! In particular, this method is ideal for pathways that receive light to moderate foot traffic. To make a wood chip pathway you or your tree removal company will need to:
- Spread a thick layer of wood chips (about 3-4”) over the fabric.
- Clear the area of any grass or debris.
- Lay down a layer of landscape fabric to prevent weeds from growing through.
3. Enhance Compost Piles
Wood chips are a valuable addition to compost piles as they provide a source of carbon, balancing the nitrogen-rich materials such as grass clippings and kitchen scraps. The coarse texture of the chips also helps to aerate the pile, promoting faster decomposition. To use wood chips in your compost:
- Turn the compost regularly to keep it well-aerated and speed up the decomposition process.
- Mix them in with other compost materials, ensuring a balanced ratio of brown (carbon) to green (nitrogen) materials.
4. Create a Play Area Surface
If you have a play area for your kids in your yard, you should consider using wood chips as a soft, shock-absorbing surface. They are a safer alternative to gravel or concrete, helping to cushion falls and reduce the risk of injuries. To create a safe play area surface:
- Spread wood chips evenly, ensuring a depth of at least 6 inches to provide adequate cushioning.
- Remove any grass or weeds from the area.
- Place a layer of landscape fabric to prevent weed growth.
5. Control Erosion and Stabilize Slopes
Wood chips are effective in controlling erosion on slopes or areas prone to runoff. They help stabilize the soil, reduce water flow, and minimize erosion. To use wood chips for erosion control:
- Spread a thick layer (4-6 inches) of wood chips over the area.
- If the slope is steep, consider using a combination of wood chips and logs to create small terraces that help anchor the soil.
6. Use as Animal Bedding
Wood chips and mulch can be repurposed as bedding material for animals like chickens, horses, or even dogs. Wood chips provide the benefits of being absorbent, provide a clean surface, and help to control odors. When using wood chips as bedding:
- Regularly clean and replace the bedding to maintain a healthy environment for your animals.
- Ensure the chips are free of chemicals, pesticides, or any tree species that may be harmful to animals (like black walnut).
7. Create a Hugelkultur Bed
Hugelkultur is a gardening technique that involves burying large amounts of wood and organic matter to create raised garden beds. Wood chips can be an excellent component of hugelkultur beds, providing a slow-release source of nutrients. To build a hugelkultur bed, you will need to do the following:
- Lay down a base of logs, branches, and other woody debris.
- Cover with a thick layer of wood chips, then top with soil and compost.
- Plant directly into the soil layer and enjoy a rich, self-sustaining garden bed.
For more information, take a look here at 7 things to know about Hugelkultur gardening.
8. Fuel for Smokers and Firewood
Wood chips can be used as fuel for smoking meats or as kindling for starting fires. If you enjoy barbecuing, certain types of wood chips, such as hickory, apple, or cherry, add a delicious smoky flavor to meats and vegetables. For firewood you will need to:
- Use them as kindling or combine them with larger logs to start a fire in your fireplace or outdoor fire pit.
- Ensure the wood chips are dry and stored in a cool, dry place.
9. Craft and Art Projects
Did you ever think to repurpose your wood chips for arts and crafts? For those who are artistically inclined, wood chips can be a unique material for various craft projects! Use them to create rustic decorations, ornaments, or even DIY artwork. They can be painted, glued, and arranged in countless ways to add a natural, artistic touch to your home or garden.
10. Donate or Share with Neighbors
Lastly, if you have more wood chips than you can use, consider sharing them with neighbors, community gardens, or local schools. Many people will be happy to take them off your hands for use in their own gardens or landscaping projects.
Related: Choosing Your New Tree
Contact Us for Tree Removal Services
While wood chips and mulch are often seen as a byproduct of tree removal, they can be a valuable asset to any property!
At Gabe’s Tree Service, we encourage homeowners to view wood chips as an opportunity rather than a waste. By repurposing them creatively and effectively, you can enhance your landscape, promote sustainability, and even save money on gardening supplies.
If you have any questions or need assistance with tree removal or wood chip applications, don’t hesitate to contact us for professional advice and services. For more information about our tree removal and wood chip recycling services, give Gabe’s Top It or Drop It Tree Service a call at (920) 252-2204 or contact us online today!
Our tree removal service is available to the Waupaca, Steven’s Point, Appleton, and Oshkosh areas.
