Well I did some more searching and found this thread... It sounds like I should be fine if I just use it around my trees (that was my main purpose). But feel free to add if you have any more input.

Here is a link that might be useful: fresh tree mulch

30 years of experience using wood chips as mulch tells me that you can use them any way you have them. Even the dryest of chips will get wet with the first rain.

Keep them on top of your soil and don't pile them too deeply. Some folks will tell you that there is no such thing as too much mulch but too deep a layer of wood chips can cause a layer of fungus to grow that will form a nearly water-proof mat, counteracting the usefulness of the mulch. 4 or 5 inches of chips should be sufficient.

Wayne

I've done it both ways. I prefer to acquire wood chips in advance of my needs and let sit for a while to darken up. Only because that's my preference, to have a darker mulch.

I have acquired wood chips from tree work that was done in my yard, as well as asking the tree trimmers in the towns I've lived in to dump loads in the yard for free (which they have always been willing to do). You can use them right away, but I like to let the piles sit for 6 months - 2 years, to let them decompose a bit and darken up. Like esker, I prefer the chips to be a bit darker than when they are freshly chipped.

There is no need for the chips to dry out, in fact they will get nice and wet and heat up pretty well in a pile. My most recent pile, leftover from tree work done in November 07, was steaming for a few months last winter. Despite that, wood chips decompose very slowly and can sit in a pile for years and still be usable.

Great thanks everyone for your input. It makes me feel better about using fresh chips/mulch.

Any chance the trees are walnut?

I put fresh wood chips around my plants yesterday . The chips are pine and oak .
Be sure and keep the chips 6 to 12 inches away from the trunk of anything you mulch .
Some plants prefer very light or no mulch at all .
Some plants prefer acidic conditions and love pine chips .
Any mulch you apply now will pay off for years to come .

Use those wood chips as mulch. Pine wood chips will no more change a soils pH that would pine needles, or any other type of organic matter.

Nope no walnut I believe it's mostly oak and maple. Even though it's not black walnut I've read some conflicting reports on black walnut and what is in the wood. I can't remember the chemical it puts off but I've read two different things stating that is shouldn't be used but I've also read that as a mulch it doesn't effect most trees because it breaks down before it gets to the roots. But again I don't have it so I'm not worrying about it. Thanks though.