Okay, I'm getting the feeling we should have researched this idea better before proceeding. The people who I'm most concerned about are a rather large group of 'street people', none of whom would be careful or one bit bothered by a fine. In fact, I have the distinct impression that some of them have been sleeping in the planter. And of course, the beds aren't "properly maintained" which is why we were mulching in the first place. Lloyd, you are making me very nervous. Our summers tend to be quite dry. I have had wood chip mulch in my yard for years and it is still intact. Bear in mind that this is not shredded bark mulch, but actual wood chips from the sawmill. I guess it will be a reason for the municipality to water the beds? Btw Jonas, I'm choosing to ignore the snow comment, lol.

In a forest the litter accumulates on the floor year after year and no one clears it away, although it seldom accumulates to a depth of a foot. I would spread out what you have more evenly, and clear areas around the trees trunks some. Those wood chips might, depending on how dry they get, be a source of fuel if a fire were to move in, but if they are moist it would take more for them to burn. Leaves and pine needles would be of more concern. Wood chips piled up against a tree trunk can hold moisture and allow some insect pests a place to live and work on the tree under the mulch which can then cause the tree to die, eventually. However, I have seen the same thing happen when soil accumulates against a tree trunk.

I use Coast of Maine bagged mulch, including one ridiculously expensive one that has composted lobster shells - or something like that - in it. In fact I have about a dozen bags of it tucked under shrubs in the garden, waiting to be spread out; it was on sale last fall and I couldn't resist. It's not sold at all the garden centers, and it's at least twice as expensive as the died black stuff. I also like cocoa shells, and, when I can get it, seaweed. The seaweed is only good in out of the way spots, because it can be really unsightly at times.

annpat, I'm not sure anyone was referring to mulch as a single material :-) The question here was is it safe to use wood chips as a mulch and that answer is yes! Of course you can buy 'mulch'......many places sell a product labeled as such, although what exactly it is will vary from place to place :-) But the intent is that it will be used to topdress garden planting beds. I DO understand what you are saying.....really any product or material, from grass clippings to shredded bark, to hazelnut shells to compost or wood chips (or even recycled tires and gravel or river rock) IS a mulch when used in that manner........there is no generic material known as 'mulch'. And they will all achieve pretty much the same thing - weed suppression, soil insulation and moisture retention. And the organics have the added bonus of improving soil conditions and soil biology over time. I am also not sure I would be so bold to say that "real" gardeners only use leaf or compost mulches :-) After 50 years or so of gardening both professionally and personally (and with a couple of degrees attached) and growing everything from Asparagus to Zantedeschia, I would like to think I qualify as a "real" gardener and I have used all manner of organic products to mulch with, including wood chips. What it all boils down to is a matter of personal preference, not that one type of organic mulch is the best. Doug, the nitrogen tie up or depletion only occurs when the wood chips (or bark or sawdust or any other wood product for that matter) is incorporated into the soil. When used as a mulch or top dressing, that is of minimal concern and adding a high N fert source to offset is not necessary.