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west central IN/East central IL

The state trimmed trees about 18months ago and chipped the smaller branches and trees into piles and it looks like its breaking down nicely. Is this something i could add to the garden or atleast the compost pile? thanks

12/19/2012 3:26:06 PM

The bottom of New Jersey

I wouldn't add it to the garden unless it is 100% decomposed into compost. Wood chips are notorious for locking up nitrogen as they break down and it won't become available to plants again until decomposition is complete. I'd add it to the compost pile but again, you should wait to use that compost until there is no trace of wood left.

12/19/2012 3:41:46 PM

Muddy Waters

Amen Jesus!

12/19/2012 4:22:19 PM

South Hero, VT

Here's what I found about composting wood chips.

Supply plenty of nitrogen-rich matter. Turn wood chips once a week. Keep pile moist, but not wet(chips may catch on fire if too dry). Be sure to add soil from your garden to each 3-4inch layer of wood chips to supply beneficial organisms necessary for composting. Adding rotting wood also supplies organisms that "eat" wood.

If you work your wood chips spring through fall, you should be able to incorporate them into your garden/patch next fall.

http://www.klickitatcounty.org/solidwaste/ContentROne.asp?fCategoryIdSelected=965105457&fContentIdSelected=178631264
http://www.uaf.edu/files/ces/ruraldevelopment/publications/wood-fish-composting.pdf
http://compost.css.cornell.edu/homecompostingslides.pdf

I'm in the process of composting wood chips, too, so I'm practicing what I preach.

12/19/2012 7:59:13 PM

Hinckley MN

it all depends on how patient you are. find a way to turn the pile each year and by year 3 the fungi will have turned it into the best carbon rich organic matter around. or you can mix it with manure and turn your pile every couple weeks and it will be compost in a couple months (especially if it is 18 months old already). the nice thing about powerline trimmings is that it is not primarily diseased plant material, like many municipal compost facilities have. I have 50 yards of powerline trimings from 2010 that will be ready to add to my raspberry plantings next summer.

12/19/2012 8:24:27 PM

Upa Creek, Mo

Yeah, I used a few wood chunks from some species of tree called "Petrified", and man that sh$t just won't break down.

12/19/2012 8:43:01 PM

formerly RGG

lol Luke

12/20/2012 7:59:36 AM

Colorado

dont use them!!!!

12/20/2012 1:27:59 PM

Rhode Island

they are not worth the trouble. ----and at that not to close to the house because they could contain wood eating insects
pap

12/21/2012 1:56:20 AM

Anchorage Alaska

Luke..lol..that only way to breakdown "petri" is uric acid in large quantities

12/21/2012 10:36:52 PM