utility tree trimmings

[nvtashak]

Okay, I've signed up at a site that promises free chipped tree trimmings mixed possibly with pine needles and leaves, to arrive maybe this spring/summer.
What do I do with them? Leave in a pile, spread them out, put them in the compost bins, bury them, or what?
It's usually a fire zone here in the summer, and windy in the afternoons, if that makes a difference.
I'm assuming the extra organic fiber, and especially the possible pine needles and leaves, will be good for my alkiline soil. So--where to use them most beneficially? Use them in asparagus and rhubarb and blackberry beds? Other veggie beds? Mulch near the fruit trees?

[trudy]

Are the chips aged already? If not I would let them compost for a year and use them next year. If it were just leaves and pinestraw I would use them where ever I needed mulch at the time. trudy

[wannabe]

This is a web site you're talking about? Where is it? This sounds interesting. I like using wood chips as a "brown" in my compost. But then, I'm just a beginner at all this (only done this one season so far). If you give the web site, I might sign up myself if its available in my area.

[Compost Pharmer]

I used to put wood chips in my compost but found out they take to long to break down. So I have been using them around the trees, flowers and hedges.

[nvtashak]

Wannabe, actually now I'm not sure if I will be getting any--the person who posted www.arborpronw.com lives in another state, and I'm really not close to it. Maybe I'll hear from them saying whether I'm in or out of their business area, lol.

[Pharmer Phil]

They do break down poorly, I will add them and sift my compost, only to add them back into a fresh pile, or use them in their slightly 'enriched' state as mulch.

[crazy1]

If you want wood chips just stop and ask the tree trimmers if you can get some. They will usually dump them right near where you need them. It saves them the time of going to their designared dumping site.

[hunter63]

Careful with the "free trimmings".
Did that once only to have TW call me at work to tell me that I had a driveway pilled high with mulch! About 6 yards!
"But It was "free", honey".

[wannabe]

ROTFL, hunter! What did you end up doing with all that?

[hunter63]

Well lets say the the flower beds were mulched well that year.
Also that sorta started the mulched garden, first did the paths with the wood chips, that left me the composted leaves and compost to do the rows.
The garden hasn't been with out mulch since, and I might add hasn't been completely tilled since either.
Just pull the mulch back, use the Toro mini- tiller on what ever row I'm working with, then pull the mulch back to the plants.

Gave alot away to everybody that would take some. Composted some of it also.
You can have too much of a good thing.

P.s. intrestingly enough, the young guy across the street got some and has turned out to be quite a gardener and good frind since giving him enough to do all his flower beds also.
Might not have met him if it wasn't for the mulch.

[chickenfarmer]

Great idea... Mulch your way into peoples hearts.....

[deb65802]

I put cardboard down first then a thick layer of chipped wood on the rows between the raised beds. no GRASS to mw or weed. keeps the garden neat and clean. I mulch all the flower beds. in the front I am buiolding a n herb bed. What do you think i am going to deep ly muclh in there.... you got it wood chips.

how much is too much? I have yet to find that out.

[chickenfarmer]

I think I gots to stop that truck and tell em he can dump a couple loads at my place...

[deb65802]

they are grateful when you do. you can use the chips fresh just add more manure to the soil. The chips do steal nitrogen from the soil as they decompose.

adding more manure takes care of it fast.

[chickenfarmer]

I'd like to finish my walking paths, this would be great for them