How I have received 70+ (4 ton) loads of chipped trees for free

2 years ago we moved onto 3.5 acres in Northern Arizona. I enrolled with chipdrop but never heard from them. So I started emailing and calling all the local landscape companies. I found one that was super excited to drop chips, logs etc anytime they want, wherever they want. So far they have dropped over 70 loads. I am 63, 5 ft 2 120 lbls and have leveled over 1.5 acres of chips. The secret is to not be picky with the loads. We use everything so any load is good. I make Hugelkulture mounds and use all the logs, sticks and greens. Our plan is to cover all 3.5 acres with chips as we start our food forest. Our tip to the drivers is always welcome...a cold 6 pack of beer. We feel really good about our endeavor. Those loads would have gone to the land fill. Which costs the landscape company $120 to dump. We figure we have saved that company over $8,000. We have a 1 acre driveway covered in chips and our UPS, FedEx drivers say they have never seen anyone do this! They love driving on the soft forest like driveway.

Welcome to the forum, Cheri!

That is a great success story.

Not only were you able to get loads of chips and logs, together they are also working to build your soil.

Hi Cheri,

Welcome to Permies. What a great first post.

I’m a chip enthusiast who has only received three 20 yard drops. However I only have 0.1 acres, so three more drops and I’ll have no more lawn and be done for the ground work.

How have you moved all that chip? I’m guessing you must have a machine of some kind. I’m using a fork and a big wheelie bin. Have you added any mushroom spawn? I’m adding wine cap to mine. It should enrich the future soil with the added bonus of a low maintenance crop.

Thanks for sharing your story.

We have so many mushrooms popping up every day! We have been in our monsoon season so ton's of rain. We also have a bunch of crazy funguses coming up. Dog throw up, bright green glowing funguses, Ton's of worms and frogs! I moved over 30 huge log and woodchip piles with no machinery. Me, a wheel barrel and pitch fork lol.