Cedar chips on garden path?

[easygo]

I have a lot of downed cedar that are very small and I would hate to burn it. I have chipped some up last weekend with my new toy. Would it be OK to use the chips on the paths in my vegetable garden. It would greatly cut down on the weeding. I know I'm not supposed to put cedar close to plants, but could it serve as a path mulch? What do you think?
Easygo

 

[jeffinsgf]

Why aren't you supposed to put cedar close to plants? I mulch with cedar all the time, and have never seen any detrimental effects.

 

[woody49705]

x2--my wife has been using leftover cedar mulch for the last several years for the exact same reasons as you it's no problem whatsoever.

 

[vic4news]

Cedar will leech nitrogen from the soil as it decomposes. This is why it is not recommended for use in gardens.

Vic

 

[easygo]

Thank you for the responses. The reason why I want to use cedar because there is a lot of it that is just in the way and now sitting in piles. I don't just want to cut stuff down to make chips. I know that pretty much any wood will take up a lot of nitrogen because they are the contributors of carbon in the decomposing process. I mean that cedar and the other above mentioned trees actually produce (toxic) chemicals to help their own species retain or expand growing areas. Maple leaves - for example - do the same thing to a lesser degree. When they fall in the Fall the chemical in them inhibits other kind of vegetation.
I'm happy to hear that you are using cedar chips with no adverse effects. I guess I will try the same.
Easygo

 

[kossetx]

Since cedar trees are somewhat of a nuisance on my place I use chipped cedar all the time. I do cut it down just for that reason. I use it exclusivly in flower beds around the house because I don't believe it draws in termites as much as other woods. I even mix it into the soil for a long term soil amendment. I sure haven't seen any adverse effects though of course I do feed my plants from time to time.

I think nitrogen depletion is an overrated fear. The benifit to the looseness of the soil is much more important to me.

 

[jeffinsgf]

...
I think nitrogen depletion is an overrated fear. The benifit to the looseness of the soil is much more important to me.

Completely agree. I let mine sit for a few months before I use it. The exception is when I am mulching around well established trees. Then I use it green. Nitrogen depletion may be an issue with very green chips, but hey, I'm mulching to suppress weed growth -- a little nitrogen depletion in the top 3 inches might just be an advantage.

I believe cedar has much slower nitrogen depletion than hardwood mulch that decomposes faster.