Need some wood chips/mulch for your landscaping? The City of Oakley and Diablo Water District have teamed with West Coast Arborists, Inc. (WCA) to offer free wood chips that can be spread as mulch, around trees and shrubs.
The wood chips are from trees pruned and/or removed from the Oakley/Brentwood area.
The chips are organic and coarse, and mixed with leaves and twigs, and the quality varies. It is not comparable to the commercial bark products you purchase from a landscape store, but provide the same benefits ‐ retains moisture in the soil (minimizes evaporation), discourages grass and weeds from growing, protects roots from extreme cold or heat, reduces soil compactions, and slowly decomposes and releases nutrients into the soil.
Wood chips are available for pick‐up Saturday, June 6 and June 27, 2015, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., at the City Yard at the corner of Neroly Road and Main Street (entrance on Neroly). Depending on the response, more dates may be established.
Residents need to bring their own tools/shovels and bags/containers to load and carry the mulch, and a tarp to cover if necessary. Initially we’re asking the public to not take more than 3 yards away at a time. Supplies are limited.
Kelley Gilleran, Certified Arborist, WCA, said, “It’s best to apply a 4’ foot circle of chips around your tree and/or shrubs, at least 3” inches deep, and keeping it a few inches from
the trunk.”
