Why Wood Chips Are a Game-Changer for Fall Landscaping in North Georgia
When most people think about landscaping, they think of bagged mulch from the local hardware store. But more and more homeowners in Cumming, Dawsonville, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Gainesville, and Lake Lanier communities are switching to natural wood chips, and for good reason.
Wood chips are more than just mulch. They’re a powerhouse for your yard and soil health. They lock in moisture during dry autumn days, suppress weeds before winter, and break down slowly to feed nutrients back into the ground for months. Best of all, LS Trees offers FREE wood chips after local jobs, making this one of the most affordable and eco-friendly ways to refresh your yard before the holidays.
🌿 Why Choose Wood Chips Over Store-Bought Mulch
Not all mulch is created equal, and choosing the wrong type could cost you more in the long run. Many bagged mulches sold at big-box stores are dyed with chemicals, shipped hundreds of miles, and break down too quickly, leaving you to replace them every season.
Here’s why natural wood chips are the smarter choice for North Georgia homeowners:
Chemical-Free: Safe for kids, pets, and plants. No dyes or chemicals leaching into your soil.
Locally Sourced: Made from trees we remove or trim in your community, reducing waste and cutting transportation emissions.
Long-Lasting: Wood chips decompose slowly, enriching your soil over time rather than vanishing in a few weeks.
Budget-Friendly: Save hundreds each year by using LS Trees’ free wood chips instead of buying bagged mulch.
🏡 Fall Refresh in Cumming, GA
Last fall, a homeowner in Cumming, GA called us to remove two large pines that were dangerously leaning toward their home. Instead of leaving the yard bare, we offered free wood chips from the job. The homeowner spread them around the remaining trees, lined the kids’ play area, and refreshed a garden path.
The result?
✅ A safer, softer play surface for their kids
✅ Better soil coverage before heavy winter rains
✅ A polished, park-like backyard, all without spending a dime on mulch
This is a perfect example of how a simple step, like using free wood chips, can completely transform a property and prevent future erosion or root damage.
🌱 The Hidden Benefits of Wood Chips for Soil Health
Wood chips aren’t just mulch. They act like a natural ecosystem upgrade for your yard, especially here in North Georgia, where our clay-rich soil and heavy rains can create challenges for homeowners.
🌧️ Moisture Management & Root Protection
Wood chips are nature’s mulch blanket. They retain water during dry autumn days, helping tree roots stay hydrated longer between rains. This is especially helpful during Georgia’s unpredictable weather cycles, where we can go from flash floods to weeks without rain. Moisture control not only keeps your trees thriving but also prevents soil compaction and root stress.
🪱 Building Better Soil
Healthy soil = healthy trees. Wood chips slowly decompose over time, feeding the ground with organic matter and nutrients. This process supports beneficial microbial life, or the good bacteria and fungi that help break down nutrients and make them available to your trees and plants. Over time, you’ll notice looser, richer soil that promotes deeper root growth.
🌿 Weed Suppression Without Chemicals
Say goodbye to constant weeding or toxic herbicides. A 2–4 inch layer of wood chips blocks sunlight from reaching the soil surface, which naturally prevents most weeds from sprouting. This means less time pulling weeds and more time enjoying your yard.
🏡 Improved Property Appearance
Wood chips create clean, defined spaces around trees, walkways, and flower beds, giving your property a well-maintained look that impresses neighbors, guests, and potential buyers. This is an especially great option if you’re preparing your home for sale and want a quick, cost-effective curb appeal boost.
🌊 Preventing Erosion on Slopes
If you live near Lake Lanier, the Chattahoochee River, or other hilly North Georgia areas, you know how quickly rain can wash away topsoil. Wood chips help slow down runoff, keeping soil in place and protecting your landscape investments. This is a major benefit for properties with sloped yards, drainage concerns, or exposed root systems.
🐝 Supporting Pollinators & Wildlife
Natural wood chips create a microhabitat for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. By keeping your soil healthy, you also encourage a more diverse and balanced ecosystem in your yard, which helps plants flower and thrive in future seasons.
💸 Long-Term Cost Savings
Unlike dyed mulch that fades and needs replacing every few months, wood chips last much longer and break down gradually. That means fewer trips to the store and less money spent year after year. Plus, with LS Trees’ free wood chip program, you can refresh your yard without spending a dime on mulch
🪵 How to Get Free Wood Chips from LS Trees
Getting free wood chips is simple and designed to give back to the community.
Give us a call: Call or text LS Trees at (770) 616-6079 or email us to be added to our wood chip drop-off list.
Wait for Availability: We’ll notify you when we’re completing a job near your location.
Easy Delivery: We’ll deliver chips straight to your driveway or a designated drop area.
Because fall is one of our busiest seasons for tree removals and trimming, availability can fill up fast, so it’s best to get on the list early.
🦺 Don’t Forget About Stump Grinding Before Mulching
Before spreading wood chips, make sure your yard is safe and level. Old stumps left behind can:
Attract termites, carpenter ants, and other pests
Create tripping hazards for kids, pets, and guests
Sprout weak regrowth that requires constant cutting
Stump grinding eliminates these issues, leaving your yard smooth and ready for landscaping.
🔑 Safety Tip: Before grinding, always call 811, the free “Call Before You Dig” service. This will mark underground water, gas, and internet lines so you can safely grind or dig without risk.
❓ FAQs About Wood Chips
Q: Are wood chips safe for kids and pets?
A: Yes! Our chips are natural and chemical-free, perfect for play areas and gardens.
Q: How often should I refresh my wood chips?
A: Once or twice a year, depending on rainfall and traffic in the area.
Q: Can I use wood chips around trees?
A: Absolutely! Just keep a few inches of space around the trunk to prevent rot.
Q: Do you deliver outside of Cumming?
A: Yes! We deliver to Dawsonville, Gainesville, Alpharetta, Milton, and surrounding North Georgia areas whenever possible.
🌳 Why LS Trees is North Georgia’s Choice
When you choose LS Trees, you’re not just getting wood chips. You’re working with a certified, licensed, and insured tree service that cares about your property.
15+ Years of Experience serving North Georgia homeowners
Family-Owned and Local – We live and work in the same communities we serve
Sustainability Focused – Recycling tree debris into a valuable landscaping resource
Free Program – A budget-friendly way to refresh your yard without spending hundreds on store-bought mulch
📞 Refresh Your Yard Before Winter
Now is the perfect time to improve your landscaping before holiday gatherings and cooler weather.
📱 Call LS Trees today at (770) 616-6079 to request your free wood chip delivery.
💵 Mention this blog for $100 OFF your next tree service.
📍 Proudly serving Cumming, Dawsonville, Alpharetta, Gainesville, and all surrounding North Georgia cities.