Once you grind a tree stump, you’ll be left with a stack of wood chips and dirt. These new wood chips will keep for a week or so before using them somewhere else in your yard. That brief curing time serves several critical functions for the wood chips and your yard.

Throughout this week, the newly ground wood dries and becomes stable. This first drying prevents pest issues during storage or when using fresh wood chips. Curing also starts the natural composting process, which will eventually decompose the chips. This first breakdown reduces the likelihood of the wood chips stealing nitrogen from the soil when used as mulch.

Once they’re cured, they’re great to use as mulch for shrub borders, flower beds, or garden paths. They can be used as mulch to retain moisture in the soil, prevent weed growth, and regulate soil temperature changes. They will eventually decompose and contribute organic material to your soil. Do not, however, apply them immediately to plants that produce vegetables or use them as a soil amendment until completely decomposed, which is about two years.

If you won’t be using the chips right away, you can keep them in a well-ventilated, dry location. Leave the majority of the chips and fill them with new topsoil for the grinding hole itself, if you intend to cover the ground with grass in the near future.