Hey everyone! I'm looking to get about 1000 litres of woodchip and I want to do it the right way by asking an arborist for some. What do you reckon are reasonable prices to pay for the woodchip plus delivery? I know some folks suggest just asking for it for free, but I don't want to seem disrespectful of their time. I've seen online prices around £150, but I hope I can get a better deal through an arborist. Is that a fair expectation? Also, how have you all used woodchip in your garden beds? Is it better as mulch or for paths? I came across some info on the RHS site saying it doesn't provide much in terms of nutrients, which concerns me a bit. Any insights you could share would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
You know, a lot of tree surgeons have to get rid of woodchip, so asking for some might work out in your favor! If you do end up paying, I’d suggest considering treated bark instead if you're looking for something that won't decompose quickly. If you’re going for free woodchip, just be prepared that you might find some green matter or small twigs mixed in. It could be worth it if you want to save some money!
I recently paid around £60 for 2 tonnes of mixed woodchip, which was delivered right to my garden. If you want ideas on where to find it, checking Facebook Marketplace can be a good start. But don’t hesitate to contact arborists directly. And if you're aiming for cheap methods, asking around online in community groups could yield some good results. Just keep in mind that the quality might vary if you get it for free!
From my experience, tree surgeons are usually happy to drop off woodchip for free since it saves them a trip to the dump. I’ve had good luck just asking them directly; they might say no initially, but when you ask the workers on-site, they’re often willing to help out. As for using it, I've found it’s great for both mulch and paths. It breaks down nicely to improve heavy clay soil too. Just remember, laying down newspaper underneath can really help with weed suppression, but don’t cover bulbs too thickly!
That’s super helpful! I’ve been thinking about adding woodchip to my beds but wasn't sure about thickness. I’ll keep the newspaper trick in mind!
That’s good to know! I think I’ll try advertising locally for free chippings first and see what I can find.