Can I use it as mulch?

[Darwin.]

I've been shredding dead and near dead shrubs. I intend using them as a mulch around my hedge and trees. Is it safe or will the fact they are freshly shredded (or possibly too acidic) make it an unsuitable mulch?

[roitelet]

I would use it, all my shreddings go on the flower beds with no ill effects.

[SarzWix]

I agree, should be fine. I was reading recently that the old assumption that wood-chippings deplete the soil of nitrogen while rotting down has been disproven, as long as it's a surface mulch and not dug into the soil. I'd post a link but can't remember where I read it

[Darwin.]

That's good because I have 5 75 litre bags of the stuff and I'll probably have a 6th.

[Two_Sheds]

If you think about it, it's exactly what forests use as a mulch: old leaves, branches and fallen trees

[Darwin.]

I was thinking that but then figured that those kinds of shrubs or trees wouldn't grow in the same place naturally as Oak, Willow, Ash, Birch or Beech.

[Two_Sheds]

It's the same principle though.

Plants grow, then die and fall to the ground, nourishing the soil so it can grow more plants.