Q. Do wood chips improve soil quality?

Answer

Wood chips have the capacity to improve soil physical conditions and have little negative effects on fertility plant growth and microbiological function. The impact of wood chips on plant development is poorly studied in the scientific literature. Tree trimmings provide a slow but steady supply of nutrients because they are a composite of bark sapwood hardwood and leaves that fall during the growth season or from evergreen trees. Moreover they add to the soil's organic matter as they decompose. The potential for naturally occurring allelopathic substances to be leached into the soil and have an effect on neighboring plants is another source of concern.