Wood chips are useful mulch around trees, shrubs, and perennial beds. They slow evaporation, discourage weed seedlings, protect soil from compaction, and keep lawn equipment away from bark.
- Remove grass and weeds from the area first without cutting tree roots.
- Spread a layer about 3 inches (8 cm) deep beneath as much of the tree or shrub canopy as practical.
- Leave 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) of bare space around a trunk or cluster of stems. A “mulch volcano” piled against bark holds too much moisture and can shelter animals that chew it.
- Do not add plastic or landscape fabric beneath organic chips. A useful depth of wood mulch suppresses many weeds and gradually returns organic matter to the soil.
- Check the depth before adding more. Mulch that is too deep can stop water and oxygen from reaching roots.
- Ask an adult where the chips came from. Do not use wood from treated lumber or a tree known to carry a serious pest or disease.
- Keep chips out of grass and off paths. A lawnmower can throw loose wood, stones, or other hidden objects with great force.
Wood chips suit permanent beds better than rows that are dug and replanted every year. For an annual vegetable bed, shredded leaves or clean straw are usually easier to move aside at planting time.