Uses for shredded tree, leaves, bark??

**bikermike** · 22-10-2019, 08:03 AM

woodchip takes a long time to rot down...

I tend to use it on paths, and I have previously used it to cover beds in winter (rake it off in spring to avoid slug habitat), and even put it on in summer to reduce drying out. It is a slug habitat, but I take the view that in beds you aren't growing anything in, that's not too bad, and in a dry summer, as I can't get to the plot in the week easily, it is worth it round plants that are growing well to keep the moisture up.

**broadway** · 22-10-2019, 08:52 AM

Originally posted by bikermike View Post

woodchip takes a long time to rot down...

I tend to use it on paths, and I have previously used it to cover beds in winter (rake it off in spring to avoid slug habitat), and even put it on in summer to reduce drying out. It is a slug habitat, but I take the view that in beds you aren't growing anything in, that's not too bad, and in a dry summer, as I can't get to the plot in the week easily, it is worth it round plants that are growing well to keep the moisture up.

Thanks BM

I must admit I'm reluctant to use it on paths as it's shredded quite fine and also contains a lot of leaves that could get slippery.

**burnie** · 22-10-2019, 09:38 AM

I use chippings as a weed suppressant, it does rot down, just takes a couple of years, my last lot went under a beech hedge and is pretty much absorbed now after three years. You could burn it and use the ash round your soft fruit.

**Jungle Jane** · 22-10-2019, 12:32 PM

How big is the raised bed? With four bags of tree chippings it sounds a bit woody,add some more green material like plant prunings on top of the wood to add nitrogen then some paper

**broadway** · 22-10-2019, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Jungle Jane View Post

How big is the raised bed? With four bags of tree chippings it sounds a bit woody,add some more green material like plant prunings on top of the wood to add nitrogen then some paper

Hello JJ

I only got my allotment mid year so these will be all new RB's, currently being constructed. My plan for one bit of the allotment was to have 4 RB's 3x1 metre each and was planning a bag of the shreddings in each along with the other bits mentioned?

**Jungle Jane** · 22-10-2019, 12:51 PM

Hello there I was imagining one raised bed,it might be a good spread then & not too much wood in one area. Are you taking photos of before & after,not that we’re nosey at all

good luck with your new plot

**broadway** · 22-10-2019, 01:06 PM

Originally posted by Jungle Jane View Post

Hello there I was imagining one raised bed,it might be a good spread then & not too much wood in one area. Are you taking photos of before & after,not that we�re nosey at all

good luck with your new plot

Here is the link to the thread I started, not been updated for a while.

I currently have a trailer load of pallets in my back yard that I'm splitting and hopefully turning into raised beds, if this works I will then update the main thread with new photos

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...ire_99524.html

**Jungle Jane** · 22-10-2019, 01:14 PM

I remember now,I hadn�t seen the August photos,it�s all looking good

**ESBkevin** · 22-10-2019, 02:05 PM

Depends on the tree. If it's all pine needles and wood it'll take a long time to break down. If it's mainly broad leaves and twigs it will break down much like compost. In which case it needs to be precomposted to be of maximum benefit.
I find that leaving the damp bagged up material in a shady spot for a few months makes a huge difference, or mix it in with all your greens in the compost bin.
Uncomposted or part composted mixed material will encourage slugs that feed on decaying material. In that instance pure wood chip is slightly preferable. But what you have will make good compost, just not until next year.

**Logunner** · 22-10-2019, 02:31 PM

How deep are you making the beds?

A couple of inches in the bottom of a 12” deep bed will not be an issue.

Or you could make a hot bed with the shreddings and coffee..

**MyWifesBrassicas** · 22-10-2019, 07:28 PM

Wood chips get hot, especially with leaves, you can use them as a hot bed to extend the season.

Compost them first if you intend to grow veg in them.

If you are going to bury them, ensure they are deep as logrunner suggests or they'll reduce available nitrogen from the growing veg.

They'll be fine to mulch around fruit bushes, apple trees etc

they can be used to make a huglekultur, a pile of rotting wood that conserves water, releases nutrients slowly and can be grown in but only when rotten.

You could also try growing wine cap mushrooms (stropharia rugosoannulata) in them, an edible mushroom that loves to grow and break down wood chips, they seem to do well in mixed wood species
just don't dig in freshly chipped wood into your beds if you intend to grow in it for the next year

**broadway** · 28-10-2019, 09:32 AM

Thanks for all your suggestions and advice folks

2nd tree felled yesterday another 9 bags of shreddings. I think I'll do a combination of layers in RB's and composting.

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Uses for shredded tree, leaves, bark??

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