HOW BIG IS A CHIP DROP?
You'll receive an entire dump trucks worth of wood chips, which can be as much as 20 cubic yards, approximately. There is no way to request a specific amount; you won't know how much you're getting until it shows up. It could be as little as 4 yards.
That may seem like a lot, but wood chips break down quickly, and it's recommended to spread them in a thick layer to work effectively, up to 9" thick! If you end up having more than you need, give some away to your neighbors! The crews won't drop partial loads, so please be ready to accept as much as 20 yards.
Here are some pictures to show you what you're getting. Most of these pictures came from homeowners who were upset with the size of the load or the amount of leaves and pine needles in them. Please consider this before signing up.
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HOW TO PREPARE BEFORE A CHIP DROP?
The following tips can help ensure that the chips get dropped where you want them, without issue:
• Your dump spot must be accessible to the crew without a phone call prior. If you require a call ahead of time, you should not sign up for this service.
• Make sure the dump spot is big enough. No less than 8' wide, and 15' long, with room for the truck to maneuver. The chips will spill out on all sides, so make sure to barricade or move any delicate plants, pots, yard art, garden gnomes, etc., that might get buried.
• Make sure there aren't cars parked in the dump spot during the day.
• Areas along busy streets (speed limit >25mph) are not great dump spots.
• Check for low overhead lines and tree branches that the box bed would hit as it is being raised. They can go up pretty high, about 20'.
• Leave a marker on the place where you want the chips dropped. This can be a tarp, a cone, or a six pack of beer.
• Include a secondary dump spot in your description, in case the crew is not able to drop them at your first choice. (e.g. 'If you can't drop them in the driveway, drop them on the side of the road in front of the house.')
WHAT'S ALLOWED IN A CHIP DROP?
A typical load contains about 50% wood chips and 50% green, leafy material or pine needles. About 5% of the load is often unchipped brush, small sticks, and maybe a few scoops of dirt, gravel or trash.
There is always a small amount of material at the end of a job that the chipper won't accept for one reason or another. In order to make this service viable, a small amount of random debris should be expected in each load. Just chuck it in your refuse bin.
WHAT'S NOT ALLOWED IN A CHIP DROP?
None of the following items should be included in a wood chip load:
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logs (unless the gardener has specified that they accept logs)
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more garbage than you could pickup with two hands
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large rocks over 1"
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any wood species that the gardener has specified they do not accept
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un-chipped brush or woody material that is over 5% of the entire load. This includes long, shredded or stringy chips that have been processed by a poorly adjusted chipper. (Check your anvil and blade gap -arborists).
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dirt, grass clippings, rocks, or any landscaping or fill materials
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stump grindings
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old wood chips that have been sitting for more than 2 weeks
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construction waste, including plywood, lumber, nails and screws, etc.
LIABILITY
Accidents happen. In the event of an accident, the following describes who is responsible for reparations:
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Arborist trucks are heavy. If your driveway is thin enough, it could crack from the weight of a large truck, Any damage to your driveway or yard as a result of an arborist's truck is the responsibility of the property owner, not the arborist or Imua Landscaping Co. Inc....
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It is the responsibility of the driver to know if they can safely maneuver and drop a load in the specified location. Any damage to property, with the exception of the driveway, as a result of an arborist's truck, or the chips or logs they drop, is the responsibility of the arborist.
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Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. is not liable for any damage to persons or property related to the delivery of wood chips or logs. If an incident involving personal injury or property damage occurs, Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. will help to facilitate a resolution to the best of our abilities and in compliance with all state and local laws.
WILL THERE BE LOGS IN MY CHIP DROP?
Arborists should not put any unchipped logs into a load unless the gardener has specified that they accept logs. If you're a gardener who is accepting logs, please know that they may be rather large. The logs won't come pre-split, and they may be longer than you need them. You cannot specify the length or diameter of the logs, but you can specify that you don't want them.
If you're requesting a load of logs, you'll want to be sure you have access to a chainsaw and splitting equipment. There's no guarantee that the logs will be cut to length before they arrive.
WHY ARE THERE STICKS IN MY CHIP DROP?
Sticks and twigs also make great bio material for your yard and soil. Most plant material, even sticks and twigs, will break down within 1 year and provide nutrients for your soil and habitat for beneficial insects and microbes. If you have a yard debris collection service in your city, you can also use this to get rid of any unwanted woody material.
WHY IS THERE GARBAGE IN MY CHIP DROP?
In some cases you may find small amounts of garbage or small rocks in your wood chip pile. Please understand that arborists often rake and clean areas right next to roadways, and cannot sift through all of the piles to remove all of the garbage. If you feel like you've received an excessive amount of trash in your load, please let us know.
WHAT'S THE WHITE STUFF GROWING IN MY CHIP DROP?
As wood chips sit in a large pile, they will naturally heat up and start to decompose. As this happens, mushroom mycelium will start to grow on the wood chips and break them down. This may look like a white or green mold growing on the wood chips. There may also be a powdery substance that floats in the air when you disturb the pile. This is all normal wood chip behavior, and is actually very beneficial to your soil and garden. However, it can be very bad to breathe in this dust. We recommend that you wear a dust mask while spreading wood chip mulch to avoid breathing in too much of the dust.
If you have asthma, any breathing related medical issue, or any known allergies to wood or plant material, you should not spread wood chips in your yard. Please have someone spread the wood chips for you. After the chips are spread, wait about 2 weeks before you walk on them.
Read more about the benefits of mycelium and fungi in the garden.
WHERE SHOULD WOOD CHIPS NEVER BE DROPPED?
Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. should never drop wood chips in the following locations, even if specified by the owner:
• blocking a neighbor's driveway
• blocking a car in a driveway
• blocking the pedestrian right-of-way
• on a narrow or busy road such that the load spills out past where your truck would be if it were parked in that same place
• around the base of a tree or on top of obvious landscape plantings
• next to or on top of any piece of property or structure that could be damaged by the weight of the load
PAYING FOR A CHIP DROP - GARDENERS AND HOMEOWNERS
Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. allows gardeners and homeowners an option to pay for a delivery. If you decide to pay for a delivery, the payment will be processed after the chips are delivered. If you never receive a delivery, your card will never be charged.
Paying for a delivery is voluntary, with a range from $20 - $80. Any payment you make helps to offset the cost to Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. ..If you're only interested in free wood chips, you can still sign up! Over half of our deliveries go to folks who don't want to pay.
Paying for a delivery does not change the quantity, quality, or type of material you will receive with your delivery. It does not change the Expectations of Service in any way, other than increasing your chances of getting a delivery sooner. It does not guarantee that you will receive a delivery.
Again, paying is not required, but it is greatly appreciated!
LEGAL STUFF
These Expectations of Service are supplementary and complementary to our Terms of Service. In any case where these Expectations of Service contradict our Terms of Service, the Terms of Service take precedence.
FAQ
Here are answers to some common question that folks often ask:
Can I get a half load?
Nope. You have to accept the whole truck load, up to 20 yards.
Can I request 'no leaves'?
Nope. You should expect leaves and pine needles in your delivery.
I only want 'clean wood chips'.
I don't know what that means, but Chip Drop is probably not the right service for you. You should find mulch from another source.
How do I take myself off the list?
You can add or remove yourself from the list any time by texting Lake Gibby at (808) 426-6881.
How do I make sure I only get one load?
We automatically take everyone off the list after each delivery attempt.
How do I get multiple loads?
Just add yourself back to the list. There's no limit on how many loads you can receive.
Will diseases from the wood chips spread to other plants in my yard?
Probably not.
Will wood chips attract ants and termites to my yard?
Nope.
Will wood chips acidify my soil?
No.
Will wood chips rob my soil of nitrogen?
Most certainly not.
Pine needles are definitely bad for my garden, right?
Wrong again.
Is Chip Drop really free?
Chip Drop is free; we ask for 20-60 for gas money but that is not required...
How do I make sure I don't get a delivery while I'm on vacation?
Just take yourself off the list temporarily, and add yourself back whenever you're ready to receive a delivery again.
But I don't want to get bumped to the back of the list!
There's no order or priority to the list. Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. will not deliver to sites based on how long they have been waiting. We choose sites based on who is closest to the job site that day , whether or not they're willing to accept logs, and whether or not they're willing to pay for the delivery. They may also look at previous delivery attempts you've had, and comments that previous delivery drivers have made about your site.
How do I speed up my delivery?
By accepting a few logs, not being too picky or specific in your description, and making sure your site is set up properly . Offering $20 for a delivery also helps when demand is high, but it's not required. We don't want folks to feel like they have to pay in order to get a delivery.
A car was blocking the driveway and the arborist couldn't drop the chips. Am I blacklisted now?
You're not blacklisted, but the driver will probably leave a comment that other drivers can see. If you have too many unsuccessful drops, future drivers probably won't want to drop at your site. To avoid this, make sure your site is set up properly.
I don't want any Palm, Hala , bird of Paradise ...
These actually make fine mulches, and aren't harmful to your garden as some may have you believe. But if there are any species that you don't want, there is a section in your profile where you can list them. Imua Landscaping Co. Inc. will try to honor these requests.
I don't want any mulch that is poisonous to my dogs or horses.
It's up to you to know which species of wood chips are toxic to your animals. Most animals who are fed a proper diet will not consume plants or wood chips that are toxic. Most animals are smart enough not to eat poisonous wood chips. Please consults your veterinarian, and list any species that you don't want in your profile.
I heard that it's bad to mulch thicker than 2".
This is probably true with decorative or store-bought mulches. This isn't a problem with arborist wood chips. They won't compact and create a water barrier like some mulches do, and you don't need to till or cultivate arborist wood chip mulch like you need to with some decorative mulches. #lowmaintenance
Will there be thorns in my wood chips?
There could be. In most cases the thorns will break down and dissolve after laying on the ground for a few months. In general, you shouldn't plan on walking around your yard bare foot after you've laid down mulch. If there aren't thorns, the wood will still be splintery. If you're using the wood chips for a playground, specify this in your description and list 'no thorns'. Hopefully the arborists will honor this request, but no guarantees. It's a 'use at your own risk' sort of deal when it comes to thorns and spikey tree bits. Nature is a nasty thing :)
My wood chip pile is hot. Will it catch on fire?
No, but if you're worried about it, just spread it out and spray it down with a hose. The heat will dissipate quickly once it's not piled up in a mound.
Will invasive species spread from the wood chips I get?
They could. There are seeds and rhizomes of all kinds floating around all over the place, especially in cities, and they will likely be in your new pile of wood chips. The key is to keep an eye on the pile after you spread out the wood chips, and pull any volunteers that sprout up out of the loose mulch. You can also let your pile 'cook' for a couple of weeks before you spread it out in your yard. This will help kill any viable plant material in the load.