When a stump is ground there is usually wood chips mixed into the soil that would make growing much of anything difficult for a couple of years, unless a lot of compost is added, so it is not "a bad idea" just not good without some amendment. Carting the wood chips off somewhere is not a real good idea.

I like your idea of using the wood chips for a nature trail, that is, if it's Your trail. Taking them to some public place and dumping them would not be a good thing to do. You could always compost them. The chips don't take very long if you mix them with plenty of greens and keep them moist. Cheryl

:)

Thanks, guys ...

Yes, i feel very fortunate to have a little trail in the woods i can call my very own. Among other things, i've been meaning to put wood chips down there, and i suppose now i have a means to do that! I think that's what i'll do ...

Since the wood chips are fresh, they're going to suck up a lot of nitrogen as they decompose. So don't use it as a mulch right now where you have plants.

You could add blood meal to speed up the decomp.

Would it be a bad idea to add them to the compost pile?

Oh, cheffrank, if only i HAD a compost pile! I finally have the space to do that sort of thing, but for some irrational reason, i feel almost afraid to take such a project on. I think to myself, "Where would i put it that would be convenient without being an eye and nose sore?" "What would i put in there?" "What if i make a mess of it and end up with a pile of goo?"

I'm an eager maintenance gardener - love to weed, mow, prune, deadhead, and the like. I even love to plant things now! But a compost pile seems totally beyond my capacity.

Estreya,

Composting isn't that hard, and it's well worth the effort when it comes to improving your soil without breaking the bank. But it's good to arm yourself with information first. That way you can avoid the smells and the "pile of goo." Of course with all those wood chips that shouldn't be a problem! I'd recommend a couple of things:

1) Buy or borrow a copy of "The Rodale Book of Composting." Read it through, let the ideas compost a bit, and figure out what might work best for your situation.

2) See if your local Cooperative Extension offers composting demos. It's a good to see the process first-hand and network with folks who have interest and experience in the area.

A few years ago I had a source for fresh wood chips. I used them in my paths between the raised beds. The following spring, the chips were undetectable, the worms must have had dinner.

Just don't use around plants for at least one year, fresh wood chips are hot.

Ok, so i scooped a few loads and spread it on the trail today. It looks SO NICE! I'll have to finish the rest over time ...

Thanks everyone ...

My stump grindings are two years old now (piled in a wheelbarrow (sp?) Will they make a good additive to mu flower beds?

I meant "my" flower beds.