On 8/2/06 21:27, in article
, "David"
wrote:

Hi,
I've spent today "pruning" a large tree and now have a mountain of
branches. In the past I have used wood chippings from shredded branches
around the base of our hedges and trees down the side of the garden and my
ferns and shrubs all seem to enjoy the mulch (in places it's 6 inches deep).
Once I get my trusty shredder going over the next few days, I intend putting
the chippings down on a large bed of hebes, berberis, cotoneaster and
azalea in another part of our garden. Would these benefit? I would be
grateful for advice on this course of action,

Pile it in a corner somewhere for a year and then use it. In breaking down
over your flower beds, it will take some of the nutrients out of the soil
and the plants will suffer. Not only have we seen the effects of this on
Camellias which had become very chlorotic, we have done just what I advise
you. We had some trees and branches shredded last year and put them in a
pile in a corner to let the rain and weather get at them. This autumn they
have gone onto various beds in the garden and in the green houses.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
)