Tree services offer a wide range of solutions, from pruning branches to removing entire trees. However, after the work is done, a significant byproduct remains—wood chips. If you’ve ever watched a tree removal crew in action, you’ve likely seen them feed branches and logs into a chipper, creating piles of shredded wood. But what happens to all those wood chips afterward? This article will dive into the various uses and benefits of wood chips from tree services near me that ensure these materials don’t go to waste.
Understanding Wood Chips: A Byproduct of Tree Services
When logs, tree branches, and limbs are run through a wood chipper, tiny bits of wood known as wood chips are produced. The wood is reduced in size by these devices to much more manageable chunks that can be used for other purposes. Wood chips are remarkably adaptable and have a wide range of useful applications, despite initially appearing like a straightforward waste product.
Common Uses of Wood Chips
Wood chips are anything but waste. These chips can be used by tree service companies and homeowners for a variety of applications. We’ll look at some of the most frequent ways to recycle wood chips.
Wood Chips as Mulch
One of the primary uses for wood chips is as mulch. Mulch is used in gardening and landscaping to help conserve soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and improve soil health. When tree services produce wood chips, they are often utilized in gardens, flower beds, and around trees. The organic material slowly breaks down, enriching the soil and creating a better environment for plant growth.
Erosion Control
Wood chips can also be used as a natural method for erosion control. Tree services may offer the chips to landscapers or homeowners dealing with areas prone to erosion. The chips help to stabilize the ground, prevent soil runoff, and absorb water, making them perfect for controlling soil loss on slopes or hillsides.
Pathway Material
Have you ever walked down a woodland path covered in wood chips? That’s because wood chips make excellent pathways. Tree services may sell or donate wood chips for this purpose. Not only do they provide a natural, rustic look to trails and walkways, but they are also effective at absorbing water and preventing muddy paths during rainy weather.
Composting Material
Another use for wood chips is in composting. Compost piles need a good balance of carbon-rich materials (browns) and nitrogen-rich materials (greens). Wood chips, being a carbon source, make an excellent addition to compost piles. They help create a well-balanced mixture that can later be used to fertilize gardens and crops. Tree services often provide wood chips to farms, gardens, or community composting programs.
Playgrounds and Parks
Wood chips are a popular choice for playground surfaces. Their soft, cushion-like texture makes them safer for kids to play on. Tree services may supply wood chips to schools, parks, or community centers, where they are used in playground areas to provide a safe, natural, and cost-effective ground covering.
Fuel for Biomass Energy
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using wood chips as a source of biomass energy. Biomass is a renewable energy source derived from organic materials. Wood chips are burned in biomass boilers or used to produce biofuels, which can generate heat and electricity. Tree services might sell their wood chips to biomass energy facilities, contributing to a sustainable energy source.
What Happens to Excess Wood Chips?
Tree services frequently generate more wood chips than can be immediately used. So, what happens with the excess? Many tree services provide wood chips to the public for free or at a reduced cost. Some corporations may work with local communities to donate wood chips for landscaping projects, parks, or school grounds.
Free Wood Chips for Homeowners
Many homeowners can benefit from free wood chips offered by Tree Services. Instead of discarding excess chips, tree service companies may offer them to anyone willing to haul them away. This is a win-win situation: the tree service gets rid of its excess material, and homeowners get free mulch or landscaping material.
Potential Drawbacks of Using Wood Chips
While wood chips have many uses, there are a few potential downsides. Depending on the type of tree, fresh wood chips may contain sap, which can be acidic and potentially harmful to certain plants. Additionally, some tree services may produce chips with a mix of wood and leaves, which could result in quicker decomposition and unwanted weed growth.
How to Properly Use Wood Chips
To avoid potential issues, it’s important to properly age wood chips before using them in gardens or around plants. Allowing wood chips to age for six months to a year helps break down the sap and other materials that could negatively impact your soil. Aged wood chips are also less likely to attract pests like termites.
Recycling and Sustainability
One of the key benefits of using wood chips is their role in recycling and sustainability. Instead of sending the byproduct of tree work to a landfill, tree services repurpose the material, ensuring that it is put to good use. This practice not only reduces waste but also contributes to eco-friendly landscaping and energy production efforts.
Helping Communities with Tree Services
Many tree services take a community-minded approach, contributing wood chips to local schools, parks, and non-profits. By providing these materials, they contribute to local projects, improve public areas, and promote sustainable practices. Tree services play an important role in preventing wood chips from going to waste, which benefits both the environment and the community.
Final Thoughts:
Wood chips may appear to be a simple byproduct, but they have a wide range of applications that help the environment, communities, and homeowners. Tree services ensure that these chips are put to good use, whether by supplying mulch for gardens or supporting renewable energy activities. The next time you see a pile of wood chips after a tree service operation, remember that they’re more than simply wasted wood; they’re a useful resource.