City of Joplin offering free wood chips

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin will resume its free wood chip giveaways on May 16 and 17 and various Fridays and Saturdays until the chips are gone, the City will load wood chips from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., weather permitting.

Bring a truck or trailer to the wood chip site, and City employees will use heavy equipment to load the wood chips for you. THIS FREE EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, REGARDLESS OF RESIDENCY. The wood chip site is located 6/10 (six tenths) of a mile north of the intersection of Belle Center Road on North Schifferdecker Avenue, commonly known as Snow Ball Hill between Zora and Belle Center. Look for the sign and turn onto the driveway on the west side of Schifferdecker Avenue.

“As spring approaches, people will need mulch for their newly planted trees and bushes,” said Mary Anne Phillips, Joplin Recycling Coordinator. “The City’s wood chips are also used for general gardening and laying on trails, and it is cost efficient because they are offered at no charge.”

The chips are a mix of many different trees that came down in the December 2013 ice storm that have been grinded for this purpose. Wood chips are effective in controlling soil erosion and insulating plant roots against extreme temperatures. Mulching reduces evaporation thus the need to water, which helps conserve water resources. Placing wood chips around plants and trees also controls weeds thus reduces the need for herbicides, which helps prevent water pollution.
Self-serve wood chips will also be available at the Joplin Recycling Center, 1310 West A Street starting May 16. The Center is open to the public on Tuesday and Thursday from 12 noon to 6 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call the Joplin Recycling Coordinator at 417-624-0820, ext. 501.