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Conifer chippings - can I use them?

FoxwillowFoxwillow Posts: 50
in Problem solving
The electricity board are coming this week to cut back some trees in our garden. Last visit, they asked if we would like the chippings but we didn’t have anywhere for them at the time so said no. 

This time, I have a large clay border with a ph of 7 which needs to be prepared for planting. I know I need to introduce a lot of matter to improve drainage but I believe that anything coniferous will make the soil more acidic - but by how much, and for how long, I don’t know. The main tree they will be cutting back is a Thuja I understand, but there will also be horse chestnut and sycamore branches. 

Should I:

a) accept any of the chippings or just the woody trunks/leafy branches (if they would be that amenable)

b) use them to improve the soil or just act as a mulch in the autumn?

Posts

  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    I would use them like you say in b.
    If you are worried about pH levels then you could always add a little lime which would help the clay soil as well.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The chippings will be fine as a mulch. They'll make no difference to the soil pH.
    You'd have to be adding tons of them on a very regular basis for it do anything of consequence for any length of time.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FoxwillowFoxwillow Posts: 50
    Mulch it is then. I bet they won’t offer me the contents of the chipper now 😊
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