How to use wood chips around trees and shrubs

Wood-chip mulch is one of the simpler ways to look after the soil around established trees and shrubs. It gives you a covered planting area that is easier to keep free of competing grass and weeds, and it can make watering less wasteful during dry weather.

The important part is where you put it. Spread mulch across the root area, leave the base of the trunk clear, and keep the layer reasonably even. Chips piled against the trunk are not a substitute for a wider mulched area. You should still be able to see where the trunk broadens into the roots.

Keep checking that area as the mulch settles and breaks down. Pull back anything that has drifted against the bark, remove weeds before they become established, and check the soil before adding water. If the ground is already wet, adding more water won't help the tree.

Washington State University's fact sheet answers common questions about arborist wood chips and explains how they can be used in a landscape. It's a practical reference for Manitoba gardeners as well, provided you consider your own soil, drainage, and planting conditions.

If you're unsure how to change an existing planting bed without disturbing roots, ask for advice before digging or changing the soil level around a mature tree.