Grinding/Chipping

Chipping or grinding wood to a 3” minus standard in a tub grinder will kill GSOB in infested wood.  Many standard chippers used by the landscaping or arborist industry may be of insufficient size and capacity to safely handle large diameter rounds of oak wood; a tub grinder or whole-tree chipper is likely required.  In sufficient quantity, the chips resulting from the grinding may have market value as co-generation fuel or other commercial products such as soil amendments.  Ground wood chips can be spread back over the property as mulch or ground cover, but please check with Cal Fire or your local fire agency to ensure you are not adding to the fire hazard by choosing inappropriate locations or depths.

Some licensed tree care specialists provide chipping services for a fee.  Homeowners may be eligible for free chipping service offered by the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County as part of their wildfire fuel reduction program. Contact the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County for details about the availability of any no-cost chipping service and any scheduled local community chipping events or call (619) 562-0096.