Free wood chips offered DuPage County residents

WEST CHICAGO – People can pick up free wood chips from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 14 at the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Native Plant Nursery at Blackwell Forest Preserve in West Chicago.

Individuals may bring vehicles no larger than a pickup truck to take mulch. A district employee will be on hand with a tractor to help fill trailers or truck beds. People who want smaller amounts should bring their own containers.

The nursery entrance is on the south side of Mack Road about a half mile east of Route 59 at 29W218 Mack Road.

For more information on the free wood chip pickup, call 630-876-5920 weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Organic mulch is a great natural way to retain soil moisture and inhibit weeds,” Forest Preserve District of DuPage County President Joe Cantore said in the news release. “It also keeps plants cooler in the hot summer and provides a bit of welcome nutrition to your garden as it breaks down.”

The district makes its own mulch from dead trees and tree and brush trimmings, and uses it for trails and landscaping throughout the forest preserves. When it has more mulch than it needs for a season, it makes it available to the public.

For information on district programs, call 630-933-7200 or visit dupageforest.org.