Hurricane Ike left us with many major trees down plus acres of smaller greener damaged.
We have chipped up the majority of the debris, pines, oaks, and small yaupons and other underbrush.
How do we prepare these chippings to use them as mulch for the azeleas and roses? Can we use the "chippings" without allowing them to "compost"?
If we need to compost the "chippings" what is the most effective and fastest way to do that?
We're new to the organic way of doing things but we are anxious to follow this method going forward.
Thanks for your advice.
jm

Wood chips are best used a mulch because they have such a high C:N ratio.

However if you must compost wood chips, it is best when mixed with a high nitrogen source like blood meal, fish meal, aniumal manures, etc. Always keep the compost pile moisturized and aerated for best performance. High carbon sources need high nitrogen sources.

My compost that I make and sell on my organic farm, is mostly horse manure and wood chips. I add leaves, grass clippings, and fish scraps to increase the compost pile volume, as well as increase the internal heating of the pile. I also add dry molasses and compost teas to the piles weekly to speed up the decomposition so that I can have mature compost ready in 1-2 months. Whatever I don't sell I use on my farm's lawn and garden.

Happy Gardening!