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Fresh wood chips from a Cottonwood #940899

Asked July 29, 2026, 11:58 AM EDT

I am having a Cottonwood removed from my property. The Arborist will be chipping the limbs. Can I use the chips in my side yard for weed suppression? A 2nd arborist (I got 2 quotes), cautioned that the fresh wood chips from a cottonwood would sprout new trees and the only way to avoid new growth all ver my lawn would be to cure the chips in a pile for a year. Please advise. Sprouts from woods chips does not seem plausible.

Clackamas County Oregon

Expert Response

Hi Marty and thanks for your question about cottonwood chips. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with arborist chips, of any type. With a deep enough layer they are great for weeds and a small enough chip should prevent anything from sprouting.

I'll attach an article with some suggestions about using them, but I tend to agree with the first arborist that it would be great to use your own chips. I have experience with an invasive tree being chipped. The black locust chips were great and did not sprout at all. The tree roots, on the other hand, took several years and some chemicals before they were gone! Cottonwoods are much softer wood and should be a good choice for chips.

https://wpcdn.web.wsu.edu/wp-ecommerce/uploads/sites/2/product-4265-sku-FS160E.pdf
And what a great environmental help to not have to haul them away!
Rhonda Frick-Wright Replied July 29, 2026, 7:19 PM EDT

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