It does not increase or maintain soil temperature. The slit extends from the centre to the outside edge of the sheet. 393-2611 Wood Chips Wood chips are an organic mulch. They prevent weed growth by blocking sunlight. They do not increase or maintain soil temperature, in fact temperatures are generally cooler under chips.
Wood chips improve growing conditions by conserving soil moisture.
Chips are normally applied by hand to a depth of five to 10 centimeters. To reduce rodent damage keep the chips about 10 centimeters from the base of the tree. Do not use more than 10 centimeters of chips as this will reduce root development and the amount of air getting to the soil. Occasionally wood chips will need to be replenished. On nutrient poor soils decomposing wood chips can cause nitrogen deficiency.