Oak Wood Chip Mulch Pros and Cons

Good gardeners understand that a thick covering of mulch will benefit garden plants in a variety of ways. Several advantages include decreased weeding, cooler soil in the summer, water conservation (which requires less frequent irrigation), and the gradual addition of organic matter as organic mulches degrade. All of this contributes to more vigorous plant growth.

Mulch can be made from a variety of resources. Arborist chips (fresh wood chips) are often used in landscapes or gardens. Fresh wood chips are frequently available at municipal landfills, composting facilities, and after tree removals in residential and businesses areas.

It is vital to maintain the tree's health. Mulch should not be made from oak trees that have perished as a result of disease or pest infestation. If you utilize the oak tree's wood or leaves for mulch, the disease that killed it could spread to other trees in your landscaping. The best mulch comes from healthy oak trees that have been removed for the purpose of removal.

From their fallen leaves, oak trees produce their own natural mulch. The leaves from oak trees that have died can be used to make mulch in the fall. Oakleaf litter is ideal for mulching around other oak trees because it closely resembles the natural layer of mulch created by leaf drops in the wild. Weeds that appear in the leaf litter should be removed.

Oakwood can be turned into mulch by cutting it into small pieces. Hardwood mulches last longer in the landscape than softwood mulches. To increase the alkalinity of the soil, utilize hardwood mulches like oak, which tend to lower soil acidity, around plants that prefer an alkaline environment.

Oak Wood Chip Pros

One of the most significant advantages of wood chip mulch is its environmental friendliness. When it comes to sustainability, the supply of raw materials is virtually limitless.

Because wood mulches are basically plants, they are okay to use in your garden as long as they aren't made from lumber that was previously used in furniture or homes.

Wood chip mulches might take a long time to degrade, depending on the environment. It also feeds nutrients throughout this time, allowing the plant to be fed continuously for an extended period of time. This decomposition process also increases the amount of organic matter in the soil.

Insects, particularly earthworms, may be attracted to the mulch, which they will consume and reside beneath. Earthworms play a crucial role in churning the soil on a regular basis. Even though earthworm excrement is a moderate fertilizer, the movement of earthworms around the roots of the plant promotes proper root air circulation.

Wood chip mulches, which are heavy, can help reduce the likelihood of weeds growing around the plant. It's like laying down a plastic mat on the ground to keep weeds from growing. 

Additionally, wood chips act as blinds, preventing the sun from heating the soil and thereby decreasing the rate of evaporation.

Oak Wood Chip Cons

Vegetables should not be mulched with wood chips owing to nitrogen loss. Nitrogen is needed for things to break down. When wood chips decompose, they absorb some of that nitrogen, which can have a detrimental effect on plants that are nitrogen-sensitive.

A poor distribution process, especially among trees, can trigger illness in your plant. Mold development and rotting can occur, as well as root suffocation in some circumstances.

Applying fertilizer in a ring around the plant as far away from the main stem as feasible is the general norm. This approach can also be used with non-wood chip mulches.