Wood Chips: What are they, how are they made and what are they used for?

You might be wondering, what are wood chips exactly? Wood chips, as the name suggests, are small pieces of wood that have been chopped or chipped into small uniform sizes. They are derived from various parts of a tree, including the trunk, bark and branches of a tree. Wood chips are versatile, and they serve a multitude of purposes, from gardening to biofuel production.

Wood chips are organic, renewable, and biodegradable. The fact that they are sourced from ta renewable resource lime trees, makes them sustainable and environmentally friendly.

In this article, we will explore the types of wood chips, the trees used to make them, what wood chips were used for in the past, how they ae used today, their insulating properties, sizes, texture, and much more.

Types of Wood Chips and the Trees used to Make them

There are several types of wood chips including hardwood chips, softwood chips, bark chips, and even flavored chips with each type having its own specific set of characteristics and uses.

Hardwood chips, for instance, are made from deciduous trees such as oak and maple. They are dense and heavy, making them ideal for applications that require durability. On the other hand, softwood chips are made from coniferous trees like pine and spruce. They are lightweight and soft, perfect for uses as insulation.

Bark chips are made exclusively from tree bark. They are often used in gardening due to their aesthetic appeal, prevent weed growth, protect the soil and ability to retain moisture. Flavored chips, on the other hand, are a combination of various fruitwood wood chips made from apple, peach and pear.

Historical uses of Wood Chips

Wood chips have been a vital part of many cultures worldwide. In ancient times for example, they were used as a form of currency among some indigenous tribes. Wood chips were also used in various rituals and ceremonies, symbolizing the connection between man and nature.

In the Middle Ages, wood chips were used as a form of insulation. They were also used for cooking and heating due in part to their excellent heat retention properties. In fact, some villages used wood chips as a primary source of fuel because they were easy to gather, store, and transport, making them a convenient energy source.

With the arrival of the Industrial Revolution, wood chips became an integral part of the paper-making process. They were ground into pulp, which was then transformed into paper. This marked a significant turning point in the history of wood chips, as it paved the way for many of the modern applications we see today.

Modern Applications for Wood Chips

Today, the uses of wood chips have evolved and expanded significantly. They are used across various industries, from agriculture to energy. In agriculture, wood chips are mixed with animal feed, especially for ruminants like cows and sheep. They are rich in fiber, which aids digestion and promotes overall health.

In the energy sector, wood chips are used to generate biofuel. Biofuel is a type of renewable energy derived from organic materials. Wood chips are an ideal source of biofuel due to their high energy content, ease of transport and renewability.

Wood Chips as Animal Feed

Feeding animals with wood chips also reduces dependence on traditional feeds, which are often expensive and environmentally damaging.

The process of using wood chips as animal feed involves chipping the wood into small, digestible pieces between an eighth and a quarter of an inch in size. These pieces are then soaked in water to remove any harmful substances. After soaking, the wood chips are dried and mixed with other feed ingredients to provide a balanced, high fiber diet.

When feeding wood chips to animals, it's essential to consider the type of wood used. Some woods, such as yew, are toxic to animals and should be avoided, while wood chips made from poplar are ideal.

The Insulating Properties of Wood Chips

The unique structure of a wood chip allows it to trap air, making them an excellent insulating material when they are tumbled together down a wall cavity. Insulating wood chips help regulate temperature and reduce energy consumption.

Wood chips are often used as loose-fill insulation in attics as well. They are also used in green building structures like straw bale houses and cob buildings. In these applications, the wood chips are mixed with clay or other binders to form a solid, insulating wall.

Wood chips also provide sound insulation. They are very effective at absorbing sound waves, reducing noise levels and improving indoor acoustics making wood chips a popular choice for music studios, theaters, and other spaces where sound control is crucial.

Analysis of Wood Chip Sizes and Texture

The size and texture of wood chips play a significant role in their functionality. Generally, wood chips are classified in three sizes: small, medium, and large. Each size has its own set of applications and benefits.

Small wood chips, for instance, are excellent for gardening. Their small size allows them to decompose quickly, enriching the soil with nutrients. Medium-sized wood chips are often used in playgrounds and walking paths due to their comfortable texture. Large wood chips, on the other hand, are ideal for landscaping. Their large size creates a dramatic visual effect, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a space. Large wood chips are almost always made from the bark of a tree.

The texture of wood chips also varies. Some are smooth and polished, while others are rough and jagged. Smooth wood chips are often used in decorative applications, while rough wood chips are preferred for functional uses like insulation or animal bedding.

Painted and Colored Wood Chips

Small and medium sized wood chips are often colored or pained to enhance their aesthetic appeal and match specific design themes.

Painted wood chips are often used in landscaping and gardening projects. They are available in a wide range of colors, from natural tones like brown and green to vibrant hues like red and blue. When using painted wood chips, it's important to ensure that the paint used is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, vitally important if the wood chips are used in vegetable gardens or other edible landscapes.

Colored wood chips can also be used in craft projects. They can be glued onto surfaces to create mosaics, collages, wall art and other decorative pieces.

Scented Wood Chips and their uses

Apart from visual appeal, wood chips can also be scented to enhance their sensory appeal. Scented wood chips are often used in aromatherapy and other wellness practices.

Aromatherapy scented wood chips are made by infusing the chips with essential oils. The oils are absorbed by the wood, releasing a pleasant aroma when heated or rubbed. Some popular scents include lavender, eucalyptus, and cedar.

In aromatherapy, scented wood chips are used to create a relaxing and therapeutic environment. They can be placed in a diffuser or sachet and used to scent a room. They can also be used in saunas and steam rooms for a spa-like experience.

Apart from wellness practices, scented wood chips are also used in pest control. Certain scents, such as cedar and eucalyptus, are known to repel insects and rodents so using scented wood chips in your garden or home can help keep pests at bay.

Scented or flavored wood chips are becoming popular for use in meat smokers, grillers and barbeques. Popular flavors include hickory, maple and cherry.

How are Wood Chips used for Composting?

Composting is another popular use of wood chips. They are a rich source of carbon, which is essential for the composting process. When used in composting, wood chips act as a 'brown' material. They balance out the 'green' materials, which are high in nitrogen. This balance is crucial for promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms, which break down the compost into nutrient-rich soil. To use wood chips for composting, simply add them to your compost pile or bin. They should make up about one-third of the total compost material. It's also a good idea to turn the compost regularly to ensure even decomposition.

The Role of Wood Chips in Cleaning Spilled Fluids

Wood chips can also be used to clean spilled fluids. Thanks to their absorbent nature, they are excellent at soaking up liquids, making them a practical solution for cleaning up spills of all kinds.

To clean a spill, wood chips are simply spread out over the liquid. The wood chips will absorb the liquid over the course of a few hours, making it easier to clean up. Once the wood chips have absorbed the liquid, you can scoop them up and dispose of them safely.

Burning Wood Chips

Burning wood chips is a common practice, especially in rural areas. It's a cost-effective way to generate heat and dispose of wood waste. However, like any practice, it has its benefits and drawbacks.

One of the main benefits of burning wood chips is energy production. Hardwood wood chips have a high energy content, which can be harnessed through burning. This energy can be used for heating homes, cooking food, and even generating electricity. Burning wood chips is also a way to manage wood waste. Instead of sending wood chips to landfills, burning them can reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.

However, burning wood chips also has its drawbacks. It can produce smoke and other pollutants, which can harm air quality and contribute to climate change so it is important to use proper equipment to minimize emissions.

Using Wood Chips as a Fire Starter

Wood chips can also be used as a fire starter too! They catch fire easily and burn steadily, making them an excellent choice for starting fires.

To use wood chips as a fire starter, simply place a handful of chips in your fireplace or fire pit. Light the chips with a match or lighter, and let them burn until they produce a steady flame. Once the flame is established, you can add larger pieces of wood to build the fire.

Using wood chips as a fire starter is not only practical but also sustainable. It's a great way to repurpose wood waste and reduce reliance on non-renewable fire starters like lighter fluid.

How to Make Wood Chips: A Step-by-Step Guide

Making wood chips is a relatively simple process, especially if you have the right tools. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

• Start by selecting the right wood.This will depend on the intended use of the wood chips. For instance, if you're making wood chips for composting, choose a wood type that decomposes easily, like pine or spruce.
• Next, cut the wood into small pieces.The size of the pieces will depend on the desired size of the wood chips. Remember, the smaller the pieces, the faster they will chip.
• Feed the wood into the chipper.Once the wood is cut, feed the pieces into a wood chipper. This machine will chip the wood into uniform pieces.
• Screen the chips.After chipping, the wood chips are usually screened to remove any oversized pieces. The screened chips are then ready for use.
• Store the chips.Store the wood chips in a dry place to prevent them from rotting. If you plan to use the wood chips for a specific purpose, like composting or animal feed, you might need to process them further.

Wood Chip Machines: Wood Chippers

Wood chip machines, also known as wood chippers, are essential for producing wood chips. They are designed to chip wood into uniform pieces, making the process quick and efficient. There are various types of wood chip machines, each suited for different applications. For instance, disc chippers are excellent for chipping small to medium-sized wood, while drum chippers are ideal for large-scale chipping operations.

When choosing a wood chip machine, it's important to consider the size and type of wood you'll be chipping, the desired size of the wood chips, and the machine's capacity. You also need to decide if you want to use am electrical or gas-powered wood chipper.

Wood chips are a versatile and sustainable resource with numerous uses. From animal feed to insulation, composting to cleaning spills, their applications are as varied as they are valuable. They are a testament to nature's ingenuity, proving that even the simplest materials can have the most profound uses.

Article posted, Jan 08