Our oak got pruned five years ago. I kept the chippings and it made a long lasting mulch. It got pruned again last year , and I bagged the chips and it will be used as mulch this year. There was some leaves in with it, they have rotted down now. Worms take the fine stuff down, leaving the larger lumpy bits on top.
Any thoughts on growing bulbs through wood chippings? I would plant the bulbs as normal and then mulch. Perhaps with a cardboard layer on the surface under the mulch - thinking it might provide some protection from squirrels?
It wouldn't stop squirrels getting to them unless it was a layer a foot deep, which then wouldn't be great for most bulbs either. The cardboard would stop most bulbs too. I just accept the odd bulb will vanish - especially the small ones as they're shallower. The little cretins have a hard time getting through the wet clay here though, so many of the bulbs are fine in the ground. I use chicken wire or similar when planting in pots.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I was thinking the cardboard would provide initial protection from squirrels but would have broken down by the spring. We are surrounded by mature trees here and can have up to 8 squirrels foraging under it yew at a single time. I planted 50 tulips when we moved in last November and only about 5 survived to flower 😔 we also have deer so really not sure whether I'll ever be able to justify investing in specimen plants. The squirrels seem to have ring barked about 5 sycamores though so not all bad (except I want to grow Japanese maples 😫)
The tulips may have succumbed for a different reason though @cmarkr. They need quite specific conditions to thrive. I wouldn't rely on cardboard breaking down enough for bulbs to get through it, but perhaps you could try it and see what happens? I expect a thin layer might work, but if it's thin, I can't see a determined squirrel being unable to get through it - especially when you consider that they can chew through wire bird feeders!
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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The cardboard would stop most bulbs too.
I just accept the odd bulb will vanish - especially the small ones as they're shallower. The little cretins have a hard time getting through the wet clay here though, so many of the bulbs are fine in the ground. I use chicken wire or similar when planting in pots.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I wouldn't rely on cardboard breaking down enough for bulbs to get through it, but perhaps you could try it and see what happens? I expect a thin layer might work, but if it's thin, I can't see a determined squirrel being unable to get through it - especially when you consider that they can chew through wire bird feeders!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...