Question from a newbie. :)

Hello, I am building swales and want to put hugelmounds next to them. Instead of using logs under the mounds can I use wood chips? I think this would work but would decompose faster and I would need to build bigger mounds. Right? Please help this newbie. Thanks!

Yes.

I use both chips and logs in building mounds, and once they are covered, you can't really tell much difference. I like to have a good store of chips on hand, because as the mound subsides, you can build it back up with more chips.