Ben Raskin
5.0 out of 5 stars - A must read for agroforestry systems
"I'd been waiting for this book to come out and wasn't disappointed. It covers the subject in enough detail to be able to confidently apply woodchip in lots of different ways for different situations, while also pointing out that this is a young subject and needs more scientific and user-based research. It covers use from small scale in the garden or allotment through to farm-scale.... I have read it cover to cover, and keep referring back to it for extra detail ..."
A. Whitworth
Amazon Review UK 9 February 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars
"I did think that a book just on wood chip might be a bit dull but actually it was all very interesting. If you have a huge pile of wood chip and you're not sure what to do with it, this is the book for you."
Amazon Kindle Customer Review UK on 11 June 2022
The Woodchip Handbook is both a comprehensive and unique look at the agricultural and horticultural uses and importance of woodchip: for farmers, gardeners, and landscapers.
I introduce readers to both scientific and farmer-based research into the myriad uses for woodchip: as a mulch (of course), but also as a propagation material for plant mixes, as a growing medium for many species of mushrooms, and even as a heat source for greenhouse hotbeds.
For farmers and landowners, the book offers a lot of information about sourcing woodchip, or producing your own, including traditional techniques like coppicing and pollarding trees, and traditional but almost forgotten skills like “laying a hedge.” Anyone interested in growing crops will enjoy this, from those with garden allotments to those who have moderately large farming operations.
With today’s climate concerns, building soil carbon and organic matter with natural materials has become even more important, and composting woodchip (rather than burning woody material) is key to that effort.