Craigs list ad--sound legit?

[raeoflyte]

I'm trying to cut down how much yard work we have to do next year. So the parts of front and back yard that didn't come up well/at all I had rototilled and I've put down weed fabric to cut down on mud and prevent weeds from coming up next spring.

My plan had been to watch craigs list for free rocks, and slowly landscape. But then I saw some ads on craigs list for free mulch from tree companies. There are a couple different companies advertising, some charge a delivery fee of $20-$50 and they'll deliver 5-20+ yards of mulch to your driveway.

It seems a bit odd to me that they aren't trying to sell the mulch? If it is just that they can't sell it because it is mismatched wood, and not manicured mulch I'm fine with that. But I wanted to get another opinion on it. Next spring we can still work on more extensive landscaping.

Also, those of you that have mulch in areas with natural tree cover--I'm assuming that you just add some mulch on top each year to cover up leaves? We have a small area of mulch right now and there just isn't a good way to get the leaves off of it.

[chen35]

My Grandma got some free mulch from a tree company. You're exactly right that it's mismatched wood, and not that pretty. I would doubt they would be able to sell it.

[raeoflyte]

I can accept that--thanks!

[sunbee]

Don't know where you are, but in my neck of the woods they've been mulching the skeletons of trees left behind by a wildfire. If you are sensitive to smoke, you might want to ask if that sort of mulch has been included. I think most people are opting to have the trees mulched in place because it helps with erosion, but there's always someone who wouldn't.

[raeoflyte]

Good point--the fires weren't very close to us and these seem like pretty local companies, but I'll double check.

I couldn't find specific ones in my area but I was able to find some images of typical tree company free mulch. Not the prettiest stuff, but it would certainly work for our purposes.

[Sam_2.0]

I work for a utility company and we offer this free mulch to customers when we are in the area trimming clearances around the lines. Its not pretty mulch - mis-matched, includes the leaves, etc. It will get the job done if all you need is some ground cover, but it won't look very pretty. Check with your power company to see if they offer it for free as well (or cable/phone if they trim those lines too).

[The Captain]

Ask about the source of the mulch. It's shocking what some places will try to pawn off on folks. For example, were the trees diseased and had to be cut down (do you want to risk your healthy plants)? Or, were the trees infested with some bug (emerald ash borer) and had to be cut down. I think there are rules now that prohibit re-selling for the later but some places will still do it anyway.

[Deleted]

It's not a good idea to simply put new mulch down over old mulch that has leaf cover. If you're going to plant anything there, the leaves can and do get moldy and will present any number of problems with growing things. I learned this the hard way

[busymom]

raeoflyte, are you in the midwest? I know of some free rock you could have, if you're interested... Drop me a PM.

[zibazinski]

Plus, be careful that the mulch does not have termites.