Best Wood Chips for Fruit Trees with Linda Chalker-Scott

Best Wood Chips for Fruit Trees with Linda Chalker-Scott

Author: Susan Poizner, OrchardPeople.com March 27, 2024 Duration: 58:50
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Learn about the best wood mulches for fruit trees with Linda Chalker-Scott, Professor of Horticulture at Washington State University in this episode of the Orchard People radio show and podcast.

Linda is the award-winning author of six books including How Plants Work: The Science Behind the Amazing Things Plants Do (Science for Gardeners). She also is one of the Garden Professors – a group of academic colleagues who educate through their blog and Facebook pages. Also check out her WSU page about horticultural myths! 

Read the article linked to this podcast for lots more great information about The Best Wood Chip Mulches for Fruit Trees. 

Here are some links to peer reviewed studies on the topic of mulch:

During the show, we also chatted with Bryan Kappa of ChipDrop.com. 

The host of the Orchard People radio show and podcast is Susan Poizner of the fruit tree care education website www.orchardpeople.com.  


This show goes out LIVE on the last Tuesday of every month at 1.00 pm Eastern Time. After that you can download the podcast. 


To tune in LIVE (and submit your questions to our expert guests!) you can:

  1. Tune into RealityRadio101.com during the time of the live show
  2. OR watch the live stream on the Orchard People YouTube Channel.  

Do you want to learn to grow organic fruit trees successfully? Sign up for OrchardPeople.com's premium online courses at https://learn.orchardpeople.com/. 


These show notes may contain affiliate links to products. We may receive a small commission for purchases made through these links at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!

  • (00:00) - Introduction to the Benefits of Wood Mulch for Fruit Trees
  • (00:37) - The Potential Risks of Using Diseased Wood Mulch
  • (01:01) - About Linda Chalker Scott
  • (02:07) - Understanding Different Types of Wood Mulch
  • (02:53) - Mulch from Garden Stores
  • (04:51) - Listener Questions: Is Sawdust a Good Mulch?
  • (05:44) - Is Colored Mulch Bad?
  • (06:20) - Is Mulch Chemically Treated with Pesticides?
  • (07:21) - Deep Dive into Arborist Wood Chips
  • (10:45) - Leaf Mulch vs Wood Mulch
  • (12:29) - Straw, Pine Shavings and Chicken Manure as Mulch
  • (13:53) - Do You Need to Add Fertilizer to Mulch?
  • (15:12) - Disease Transmission Through Mulch
  • (22:06) - Should You Mulch Other Types of Trees and Plants with Wood Mulch?
  • (23:13) - Willow and Aspen Mulch and Fruit Trees
  • (25:15) - Live Q&A: Anthrancnose and Wood Chips
  • (26:15) - Fallen Leaves around Trees and Containers
  • (28:02) - Should You Use Wood Chips from Ailanthus and Invasive Trees ?
  • (29:36) - Commercial Break and Upcoming Guest Teaser
  • (33:33) - Deep Dive into Arborist Wood Chips for Mulching
  • (34:12) - Listener Questions: From B ooks to Mulching Practices
  • (36:20) - Should You Layer Leaf Compost with Wood Chips?
  • (37:42) - Vertical Mulching and Loamy Soil
  • (38:54) - Protecting Your Fruit Tree from Insect Pests
  • (41:55) - Extra Irrigation and Wood Mulch
  • (43:13) - Introducing ChipDrop: A Solution for Wood Chip Needs
  • (51:20) - Linda's Hints for Using ChipDrop
  • (53:09) - Making Wood Mulch from Fire Wood
  • (54:25) - Hugelkultur and Burying Logs and Sticks
  • (55:46) - Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Resources



Imagine stepping into your own backyard and picking a perfect, sun-warmed apple from a tree you nurtured yourself. That tangible connection to the land and the deep satisfaction of growing your own food is at the heart of Orchard People. Hosted by fruit tree care educator Susan Poizner, this podcast digs into the practical and often surprising world of cultivating fruit trees, whether you have a few pots on a balcony or several acres to explore. Each episode feels like a thoughtful conversation with a knowledgeable friend, as Susan and her guests unpack the nuances of pruning for better harvests, managing pests without harsh chemicals, and understanding the life beneath our feet through soil health. You’ll hear from specialists on topics like grafting heirloom varieties, designing resilient food forests, and integrating permaculture principles into any space. It’s more than just tips and tricks; it’s about building confidence and community around sustainable growing. Tune in to this garden-focused podcast for grounded advice that helps both new and experienced growers foster healthier trees and more abundant yields, season after season.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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