After having a tree stump ground down, you will be left with a pile of wood chips. Cleaning this debris can be a chore and can add to the cost of the stump grinding.
However, there are several creative and practical things you can do with these wood chips. This article will cover some of the most common and useful ones.
Turn them into a mulch
Wood chip mulch has several benefits for your garden. It can be used in a variety of ways and will decompose naturally, adding nutrients to the soil. Stump grinding services often provide this service for an additional fee. They will chip the stumps into small pieces and mix it into the existing soil. This helps to improve the pore space in the soil and make it more absorbent. It is best to work the wood chips into the soil as this will speed up the process.
Once the stump grindings are ready, it is a good idea to let them cure for a week before using them. This will prevent the wood chips from becoming infested with pests while they are in storage. Afterwards, they can be used in flower beds to retain moisture, prevent weeds and balance the soil temperature. They can also be spread around trees to help protect them from extreme weather.
Add them to your compost pile
A layer of wood chips in your garden or lawn will suppress weeds, retain soil moisture and help balance the temperature of the earth. They also supply a nutrient-rich addition to the soil and are easier to arrange than pavers or stones.
Adding wood chip mulch to your compost pile is an excellent way to recycle them. As with any organic material, it takes time to break down and release nutrients to the soil. However, a little patience will yield rich results.
The compost pile should contain equal amounts of green, nitrogen-rich materials such as fresh grass clippings and vegetable scraps, along with brown, carbon-rich materials like twigs, branches and dry leaves. Water the pile periodically to keep it moist.
Mixing the pile helps to distribute heat throughout the organic matter, so it decomposes faster. Mixing also aerates the pile and ensures that all ingredients receive enough oxygen to break down properly. To speed up the process even more, add worms to the compost heap.
Use them as a garden path
Wood chips are a natural material that can be used to create a beautiful, rustic-looking garden path. They’re also useful for creating a low-maintenance barrier to keep the soil in your garden beds hydrated and suppress weeds.
Mulching with wood chips helps retain soil moisture, balances soil temperature, and makes it easier to grow plants, including vegetables. It’s important to use caution when using mulch from pine trees, however, because they can dramatically increase soil acidity and inhibit plant growth.
Another way to repurpose wood chips is to add them to your compost pile. They’ll decompose and help your compost become rich in nutrients that you can later apply to your garden or flower beds. Be sure to include “green” waste, such as food scraps and fruit peelings, in your compost heap to provide it with the necessary nitrogen for decomposition. This will also help prevent overcrowding and reduce the need to turn the pile.
Burn them
Mulching is a popular use for wood chips from stump grinding, and it’s an easy way to improve your garden or flowerbeds. Untreated mulch helps retain moisture, controls weeds, and insulates the soil. If you plan to use them for this purpose, add a layer between three and six inches thick. Then, replenish the mulch as it decomposes to maintain the proper thickness of the layer.
Adding wood chips to your compost pile is also an option. This material is rich in nitrogen, and it can help speed up the composting process. Just make sure to store your wood chips in a place that is away from direct sunlight and protected from moisture.
If the tree stumps that you have removed were chemically treated, it’s best to burn them rather than bury them. Before you do this, however, make sure that you have the proper permission from your local fire department and permitting office. This will prevent the fire from spreading or causing damage to nearby vegetation.
Southern Turf will deliver wood chips from stump grinding free of charge although we charge a small delivery fee.
Southern Turf
4610 S. US 1
Edgewater, FL 32141
386-416-8988
www.southernturf.co
Last modified: June 6, 2023
