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Maple Mulch #868756

Asked May 16, 2024, 3:54 PM EDT

Does freshly chipped maple tree wood (or other tree wood) have to age before using it around flowers, shrubs and vegetables so it doesn’t leach nitrogen from the soil?

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi and thanks for your question about using fresh chips as mulch. Unless you dig it into the soil, it will not deplete nitrogen from the soil. It acts as a water filter, soil shade, weed suppressant and general all around good guy. Over time, like five years maybe, the chips will decompose and you will need to add new ones but by then, they will not be taking nitrogen out of the soil but just adding nutrients of their own.

Here is more than you ever wanted to know about myths relating to mulch. Check out #6!
https://gardenprofessors.com/maddening-mulch-myths/
It's really a win/win technique!
Rhonda Frick-Wright Replied May 17, 2024, 5:36 PM EDT

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