Mulch: Wood Chip Mulches (5015)

Woodchips make excellent mulch for trees and shrubs. A three-inch layer of woodchips will prevent the growth of weeds or grass around the base of the tree. Mulching also conserves moisture, prevents erosion, moderate soil temperatures, and adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil.

Mulching around trees or shrubs prevents lawn mower damage. Lawn mowers and weed whippers hitting the base of trees and shrubs injure the trunks and can create entryways for disease organisms. When injury occurs completely around the base of the trunk, it can kill the tree.

Mulching also makes mowing easier. You can cut around a large mulched bed faster than around several individual trees and shrubs. You will no longer need to hand-trim around the base of trees and shrubs. This means less time and work for you.

Use woodchip mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs. Mulching helps these young plants get established by promoting new root growth. The woodchip mulch helps keep roots cool and moist in the hot summer, insulated in cold winter, and free from competitive weeds and grass. Grass and weeds compete with newly planted trees and shrubs for water and nutrients.

Established trees also benefit from mulch. The larger the area mulched, the better for the tree. Extend mulch at least several feet beyond the trunk. You may want to mulch the whole area under the tree.  Do not pile mulch against the trunk of the tree.

You can also mulch hedges, shrub beds and borders. Cover soil with a three-inch layer of mulch. Extend mulched area enough to allow for easy mowing and maintenance.  Do not pile mulch against the bark of trees or shrubs.

Woodchips are slow to break down, so they do not have to be replaced as often as some other mulch materials.

Where can you get woodchips? Call your local Municipal Forestry or Public Works Department. Many municipalities have free woodchips and compost for their residents. Talk to commercial arborists or tree service companies that are pruning trees in your neighborhood. Many of them will give you woodchips. But you may have to take the whole load. Utility companies may also have wood chips available.

You may want to make your own woodchips with the help of a chipper. Many rental companies have chippers. You and your neighbors may want to rent a machine for the weekend to handle all your brush.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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