Wood chips, those humble fragments of processed wood, are surprisingly versatile. From enriching your garden soil to fueling your smoker for delicious barbecues, and even providing a safe playground surface, their applications are numerous. But how exactly are these useful bits created? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making wood chips, from choosing the right wood to operating the necessary equipment safely and efficiently.
Understanding Wood Chips and Their Uses
Before diving into the “how-to,” let’s appreciate the breadth of wood chip applications. This will help you determine the type of wood and chipping method best suited to your needs.
Gardening and Landscaping
Wood chips are a popular choice for mulch. They help retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, regulate soil temperature, and gradually decompose to add organic matter. Hardwood chips decompose slower than softwood, making them ideal for pathways and ground cover, while softwood chips are better suited for composting.
They can also be used as a base layer in raised garden beds, contributing to drainage and aeration. Different wood types offer varying levels of nutrient enrichment as they break down.
Fuel and Heating
Wood chips are a viable source of biofuel. When properly dried, they can be burned in wood stoves, furnaces, and even power plants. This offers a renewable alternative to fossil fuels, reducing carbon emissions and dependence on non-renewable resources. The efficiency of burning wood chips depends largely on their moisture content and the design of the burning appliance.
Animal Bedding
For livestock and small animals, wood chips provide comfortable and absorbent bedding. Their ability to soak up moisture helps maintain a clean and hygienic environment. Consider the size and type of animal when choosing wood chips for bedding. Avoid using wood chips treated with chemicals.
Recreation and Playgrounds
Wood chips are a common surfacing material for playgrounds. Their cushioning effect helps reduce the risk of injuries from falls. Choose engineered wood fiber (EWF) for playground use, as it meets safety standards and provides optimal impact absorption.
Smoking Food
Certain types of wood chips, like hickory, apple, and cherry, are prized for their ability to impart unique flavors to smoked meats and other foods. The wood chips are smoldered to create flavorful smoke that infuses the food during the cooking process. Properly soaking wood chips before smoking prevents them from burning too quickly and creating unwanted bitter flavors.
Choosing the Right Wood
The type of wood you choose significantly impacts the characteristics and suitability of the resulting wood chips. Consider the following factors:
Hardwood vs. Softwood
Hardwoods, like oak, maple, and beech, are generally denser and decompose more slowly than softwoods, such as pine, fir, and cedar. This makes hardwoods a good choice for landscaping and fuel, while softwoods are often preferred for composting and animal bedding due to their faster decomposition rate.
Wood Species and Their Properties
Different wood species have distinct properties. Oak is known for its durability and slow decomposition, making it ideal for pathways. Cedar is naturally insect-repellent, making it a good choice for garden mulch. Fruit woods, like apple and cherry, impart a sweet flavor when used for smoking food.
Treated vs. Untreated Wood
Never use treated wood for making wood chips intended for gardening, animal bedding, or smoking food. Treated wood contains chemicals that can leach into the soil, harm animals, or contaminate food. Only use untreated wood that is free from paints, stains, and preservatives.
Fresh vs. Seasoned Wood
Freshly cut wood, also known as green wood, has a high moisture content. This makes it more difficult to chip and less efficient for burning. Seasoned wood, which has been allowed to dry for several months, is easier to chip and burns more cleanly. For smoking food, some prefer slightly damp wood chips to create more smoke.
Methods for Making Wood Chips
Several methods exist for making wood chips, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The best method for you will depend on the amount of wood you need to chip, the size of the wood pieces, and your budget.
Using a Wood Chipper
A wood chipper is a specialized machine designed for reducing branches and small logs into wood chips. These machines come in various sizes and power levels, ranging from small electric chippers suitable for home use to large gas-powered chippers designed for professional landscaping.
Types of Wood Chippers
- Electric Wood Chippers: These are ideal for small-scale chipping projects around the home. They are relatively quiet, lightweight, and easy to operate. However, they typically have lower power and capacity than gas-powered chippers.
- Gas-Powered Wood Chippers: These are more powerful and can handle larger branches and logs. They are suitable for larger properties and professional landscaping. However, they are typically more expensive, heavier, and require more maintenance than electric chippers.
Operating a Wood Chipper Safely
Safety is paramount when operating a wood chipper. Always wear safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, and appropriate clothing. Never reach into the chipper while it is running. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
Using a Chainsaw and a Maul
This method is more labor-intensive but can be used for smaller amounts of wood. It involves cutting the wood into smaller pieces with a chainsaw and then splitting the pieces into even smaller fragments with a maul.
Safety Precautions with Chainsaws and Mauls
Chainsaw safety is critical. Always wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet with a face shield, hearing protection, gloves, and chainsaw chaps. Use a sharp chainsaw and maintain a firm grip. Be aware of the potential for kickback. When using a maul, ensure you have a clear and stable striking area. Keep your hands and feet out of the path of the maul.
Using an Axe
Similar to the chainsaw and maul method, using an axe involves manually splitting the wood into smaller pieces. This method is best suited for very small amounts of wood and requires significant physical effort.
Safe Axe Handling
Use a sharp axe and maintain a firm grip. Ensure you have a clear and stable striking area. Keep your hands and feet out of the path of the axe. Wear appropriate safety gear, including gloves and eye protection.
Preparing the Wood for Chipping
Regardless of the method you choose, proper wood preparation is essential for efficient chipping and high-quality wood chips.
Removing Branches and Leaves
Before chipping, remove all branches and leaves from the wood. This will prevent clogging and ensure a cleaner cut.
Cutting to Size
Cut the wood into manageable lengths that are appropriate for your chipper or splitting tool. This will make the chipping process easier and safer.
Drying the Wood (If Necessary)
If you plan to use the wood chips for fuel, allow the wood to dry thoroughly before chipping. This will improve its burning efficiency.
Storing Wood Chips Properly
Proper storage is crucial to prevent wood chips from rotting or becoming infested with insects.
Ensuring Proper Ventilation
Store wood chips in a well-ventilated area to prevent moisture buildup. This will help prevent mold and decay.
Protecting from the Elements
Cover the wood chips with a tarp or store them under a roof to protect them from rain and snow. This will help maintain their quality and prevent them from becoming waterlogged.
Preventing Infestation
Inspect the wood chips regularly for signs of insect infestation. If you find any pests, treat the wood chips with an appropriate insecticide or discard them.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even with careful planning, you may encounter some challenges when making wood chips. Here are some common issues and their solutions:
Clogged Chipper
A clogged chipper can be caused by wet wood, excessive leaves, or branches that are too large. To clear a clogged chipper, turn off the machine and disconnect the power source. Remove the obstruction carefully using a tool or by hand (while wearing gloves).
Dull Blades
Dull blades can make it difficult to chip wood efficiently. Sharpen the blades regularly to maintain optimal performance. Some chippers have replaceable blades, while others require sharpening by a professional.
Excessive Dust
Chipping dry wood can create a lot of dust. Wear a dust mask to protect your lungs. You can also lightly dampen the wood to reduce dust.
Enhancing Your Wood Chips
While plain wood chips are perfectly useful, you can enhance their properties for specific applications.
Composting Wood Chips
Wood chips can be added to compost piles to improve aeration and drainage. Mix them with other organic materials, such as leaves and grass clippings, to create a balanced compost mix.
Dyeing Wood Chips
You can dye wood chips to add color and visual appeal to your landscaping. Use a non-toxic dye that is safe for plants and animals.
Mixing Wood Chips with Other Materials
Wood chips can be mixed with other materials, such as gravel or sand, to improve drainage and stability in pathways and playgrounds. The specific ratio will depend on the intended use.
What are the best types of wood to use for making wood chips?
The best types of wood for making wood chips depend on their intended use. For mulching around plants, hardwoods like oak, maple, and fruit trees are excellent choices. They decompose slowly, providing nutrients to the soil over a longer period. Avoid using treated lumber or woods that are known to be toxic, such as black walnut, as these can harm your plants.
If you are planning to use the wood chips for smoking food, choose hardwoods like apple, cherry, hickory, or mesquite. Each wood variety imparts a distinct flavor to your food. For play areas or pathways, softwoods like pine or cedar can be suitable, but they will decompose faster and may require more frequent replenishment.
What size wood chipper is appropriate for my needs?
The appropriate size of wood chipper depends largely on the size and type of branches and debris you typically need to process. For small residential yards with occasional cleanup of twigs and small branches (less than 3 inches in diameter), an electric chipper or a smaller gas-powered chipper (2-4 inch capacity) should suffice. These are generally lighter, more portable, and easier to store.
However, if you have a larger property with frequent cleanup of larger branches (up to 6 inches in diameter) or need to process thicker brush, a more powerful gas-powered chipper with a larger engine and higher chipping capacity (5-8 inch capacity) is necessary. For professional or heavy-duty use, consider a towable chipper with even greater capacity and power.
How often should I sharpen the blades on my wood chipper?
The frequency with which you need to sharpen your wood chipper blades depends on the amount of use, the type of wood being chipped, and the presence of debris like dirt and rocks. As a general guideline, inspect the blades after every 8-10 hours of use. Look for signs of dulling, such as tearing the wood instead of cleanly chipping it, increased vibration, or requiring more force to feed the wood.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to sharpen the blades. Regular sharpening ensures efficient chipping, reduces strain on the machine’s engine, and produces better-quality wood chips. Always disconnect the spark plug or power source before attempting to sharpen or replace the blades.
What safety precautions should I take when operating a wood chipper?
Operating a wood chipper requires strict adherence to safety precautions to prevent injuries. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses or a face shield to protect your eyes from flying debris, hearing protection to reduce noise exposure, heavy-duty work gloves to protect your hands, and sturdy boots with good ankle support. Avoid loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in the machinery.
Before starting the chipper, carefully read and understand the owner’s manual, paying close attention to safety warnings and operating instructions. Clear the area around the chipper of any obstacles or debris. Never reach into the chipper while it is running, and always use the provided feeding tools to push materials into the hopper. Be aware of the chipper’s discharge direction and avoid standing in its path.
Can I use wood chips directly from a tree I cut down?
Yes, you can use wood chips directly from a tree you cut down, but there are a few factors to consider. Freshly chipped wood, often referred to as “green” wood, contains a higher moisture content, which can affect its suitability for certain applications. For mulching, green wood chips can be beneficial as they decompose more quickly, releasing nutrients into the soil, but they may also attract fungal growth.
If you intend to use the wood chips for smoking food, it’s generally recommended to allow them to dry out for several weeks or months. This reduces the moisture content and allows the wood to burn more cleanly, producing a more desirable smoke flavor. Properly dried wood chips are also less likely to mold or develop unpleasant odors when stored.
How should I store wood chips to prevent mold or decomposition?
To prevent mold or excessive decomposition, proper storage of wood chips is crucial. If you’re storing a large quantity of wood chips, choose a well-ventilated area that allows air to circulate freely. Avoid storing them in enclosed containers or piles that can trap moisture. A slightly elevated platform or pallet can further improve airflow beneath the pile.
For long-term storage, consider covering the wood chips with a tarp to protect them from rain and snow, but leave the sides open for ventilation. This will help maintain a consistent moisture level and prevent excessive wetting. Regularly check the pile for signs of mold or decomposition, and turn the pile occasionally to promote even drying and aeration.
Are there any environmental benefits to using wood chips?
Using wood chips offers several environmental benefits. As mulch, they help suppress weed growth, reducing the need for herbicides. They also help retain soil moisture, decreasing the need for frequent watering, conserving water resources. As the wood chips decompose, they enrich the soil with organic matter, improving its structure and fertility.
Furthermore, using wood chips as mulch or for other purposes helps divert wood waste from landfills, reducing the environmental impact associated with waste disposal. Wood chips can also be used as a renewable energy source, burned in specially designed furnaces or boilers to generate heat or electricity. This reduces our reliance on fossil fuels and helps mitigate climate change.