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Pine chippings

chelchel Posts: 24
in Problem solving

I have just had 7 very large Leylanii cut down and chipped. I have put some of them on a woodland path I have but have till got a huge mound left. I know it is acidic and would damage some plants but wondered if any would benefit mulching with it? Failing that what do I do with it - will it compost down in time and be safe to use on the garden in general?

Many thanks

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    Yes, once fully compotsted the chippings will become neutral and can then be used anywhere on your garden.  To accelerate the composting process, mix in a lot of soft green matter such as grass clippings.  You can also add diluted urine or a high-nitrate fertiliser such chicken manure/pellets.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • chelchel Posts: 24

    Thanks Bob, how long before they are usable? The problem is that the man who came to chip them just sprayed them in a heap regardless! He covered 3 of my compost bins completely! I have moved 58 wheelbarrows full round to a long wildlife path I have, but the pile is still higher than me! I have another area with foxgloves, primroses, hellebores etc.  in it, would it be ok to mulch them or any other type of plant? I am desperate to reduce the pile!!

  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,046

    I have a friendly tree surgeon who regularly brings me chippings. I find layered as Bob says, with grass clipping they break down in no time at all. Well I reckon , in the great scheme of things, 6 months is not time. 

    Even left to their own devices, as you have a mix of foliage , and woody stems, it should still break down quickly.

    Try to get your hands on some builders' dumpy sacks.

    Devon.
  • chelchel Posts: 24

    Thanks for that advice, I will try and get some.

  • WateryWatery Posts: 388

    For  established borders, no problem to use them fresh.  This horticulturalist prefers them that way: http://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/wood-chips.pdf  She cautions that for annual borders and veg patches where you need seedlings to grow they should be composted first but otherwise won't be a problem.  By the way,  I really like this lady Linda Chalker-Scott because she tests garden truisms in scientific conditions.    See her horticultural myths.  

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