Soil Remediation using Woodchips
Woodchips are a low-cost, effective material for restoring degraded soils by improving soil health, increasing water retention, and supporting plant growth. Compared with biochar, woodchips are easier and less expensive to produce, although biochar provides longer-lasting benefits. In many cases, the two materials can be used together to combine the immediate advantages of woodchips with the durability of biochar.
One of most important uses of woodchips is soil bioremediation. Woodchips and the fungi that decompose them can absorb or help break down pollutants, including nitrates, hydrocarbons, pesticides, petroleum products, solvents, and some heavy metals. Research has shown that adding woodchips to contaminated soils increases the population of microorganisms that naturally degrade oil and diesel, speeding up the cleanup process. Studies have also found that composted woodchips can reduce the harmful effects of contaminated soils by binding pollutants more tightly, making it a practical option for sites affected by spills, mining, or other forms of pollution.
Woodchips can also help reduce soil salinity by improving soil structure and allowing excess salts to be washed deeper into the soil. This can protect roadside vegetation from de-icing salts, reduce salt buildup from animal manure, and improve reclaimed or salt-affected soils when used as part of a broader soil management strategy.
Another important benefit is reducing soil compaction. By adding organic matter, woodchips improve soil structure and create conditions that promote healthier root growth. It has been used successfully to restore compacted wetlands and is especially valuable in urban areas, where trees often grow in heavily compacted soils surrounded by pavement. Research suggests that combining woodchip mulch with compost provides even greater improvements in soil quality for urban trees.
Woodchips are also an effective tool for erosion control. Applying a thin mulch layer helps reduce water runoff, prevent soil loss, retain moisture, and rebuild soil structure, particularly on slopes or land damaged by fire, harvesting, or intensive farming. Studies have shown that mulching at least 60% of an affected area significantly reduces erosion, and mixing seeds into the mulch can encourage rapid vegetation growth. For farms and gardens, applying woodchips after harvest or on erosion-prone land can help protect the soil while supporting long-term soil restoration.
Visit the NMSU Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center Feld Day on August 13. The field day will highlight information on crops in semiarid environments, weed management, and other farming practices relevant to Central New Mexico. Event is free and lunch will be provided.
Date: August 13, 2026
Time: 7:30 AM - 12 PM
Location: Los Lunas ASC (Agricultural Science Center)
1036 Miller Road
Los Lunas, NM 87031
Register Here: Los Luna Field Day
This is a summary from The New Mexico Healthy Soil Working Group. To see the full article visit: Restoring Soil with woodchips
