Last modified: April 2025
AboutTrees.com isn’t suitable for everyone. Please review these Expectations of Service carefully before signing up for an account.
Tree care specialists, there’s key information here for you as well. For any inquiries, feel free to email us at support@AboutTrees.com.
How Much Will I Get?
When you request a delivery from AboutTrees.com, you’ll receive a full truckload of mulch materials, potentially up to 30 cubic yards. You can’t request a specific amount, and the exact volume won’t be clear until delivery—sometimes as little as 4 yards.
Visualizing the Volume:
Mulch in your driveway can take up a lot of room. It might look overwhelming, but it decomposes fast. For best results, spread it in a thick layer—up to 9 inches. Got extra? Share it with neighbors! Delivery teams won’t unload partial loads, so be ready for up to 30 yards.
Examples to Picture:
Check out these photos to get a sense of what’s coming. Many were snapped by customers caught off guard by the load size or the mix of contents. Keep this in mind before you join.
- Mulch pile in a driveway
- Mulch along a roadside
Getting Ready for Delivery
To make sure your delivery goes off without a hitch and lands where you want it, here are some pointers:
- Access: The Woodchip Load spot must be reachable by the crew without a pre-delivery call. If you need a heads-up, this service might not work for you.
- Space Needs: The site should be at least 8 feet wide and 15 feet long, with room for the truck to move. Mulch spreads out, so safeguard or relocate fragile items like plants, planters, or lawn ornaments.
- Clear the Zone: Keep cars out of the Woodchip Load area during daytime hours.
- Busy Roads: Avoid sites on streets with speed limits over 25 mph—they’re not ideal.
- Overhead Hazards: Watch for low wires or branches that might clash with the truck’s unloading height, which can reach 20 feet.
- Mark It: Set a sign—like a tarp, cone, or a coffee mug—where you want the mulch dumped.
- Backup Plan: Add a second Woodchip Load location in your request in case the first isn’t doable (e.g., “If the driveway’s blocked, leave it by the curb in front of the house.”)
What’s in a Delivery?
A standard load is roughly 50% mulch (like wood chips) and 50% green matter, such as leaves or pine needles. You might also see about 5% unchipped twigs, small branches, and a bit of soil, pebbles, or litter.
Some Debris Is Normal:
At a job’s end, there’s often leftover bits the chipper can’t handle. To keep this service workable, expect a little miscellaneous debris per load. Toss it in your trash bin.
Visual Samples:
- Mulch mixed with pine needles
- Brown mulch with leaves and twigs
What’s Not Permitted in a Delivery?
These items shouldn’t show up in your mulch load:
- Logs (unless you’ve okayed them)
- Trash beyond a two-handful pickup
- Rocks larger than 1 inch
- Tree types you’ve flagged as unwanted
- Unchipped brush or woody bits exceeding 5% of the load (including stringy mulch from a misaligned chipper—specialists, check your settings)
- Soil, grass clippings, stones, or other landscaping fillers
- Stump grindings (unless you’ve agreed to take them)
- Construction debris (e.g., plywood, nails, or lumber)
Tree care specialists: If your load doesn’t meet these standards—say, from dull blades or poor equipment setup—please dispose of it elsewhere.
Are Palm Fronds Included?
Yes, unless you opt out, your delivery might include chipped palm fronds, often dubbed “gorilla hair.” It’s fantastic mulch, especially in southern areas where palm is plentiful. Don’t let its quirky rep fool you—it’s great stuff.
Visual Sample:
- Chipped palm “gorilla hair”
See these shots of palm mulch on pathways—it’s a stunner!
- Before
- After
- After (close-up)
Who’s Liable for Deliveries?
Things can go wrong. Here’s the breakdown of responsibility:
- Driveway/Yard Damage: Heavy trucks might harm a fragile driveway or lawn. That’s on the property owner, not the specialist or AboutTrees.com.
- Other Property Damage: Specialists must confirm they can safely deliver. Any damage (beyond the driveway) from the truck or materials falls on them.
- AboutTrees.com’s Role: We’re not liable for injuries or property damage tied to deliveries. If something happens, we’ll link the involved parties, but sorting it out is up to them. AboutTrees.com isn’t responsible for any costs, fines, or penalties.
When Will It Arrive?
After requesting, delivery could come as soon as the same day, though 1–5 weeks is typical. Expect longer waits in winter, rural spots, or new AboutTrees.com regions. Offering payment might speed things up. If it’s been 25 days with no Woodchip Load, we’ll email to check if you’re still in.
Will Logs Be Included?
Specialists shouldn’t add unchipped logs unless you’ve approved them. If you’re open to logs, they might be big, unsplit, and longer than ideal. Size can’t be specified, but you can refuse them.
Visual Sample:
- Big Pine Logs
If you’re taking logs, have a chainsaw and splitting gear ready—they won’t be pre-cut.
Tip: Accepting logs could get you mulch faster.
Why Are There Twigs in My Delivery?
Twigs and sticks are natural soil boosters. Most woody bits break down within a year, feeding your soil and bugs. Don’t want them? Use your local yard waste pickup.
Why Is There Trash in My Delivery?
You might spot minor litter or pebbles in your mulch. Specialists work near roads and can’t sift everything. Too much junk? Tell us. A stray wrapper or can? The specialist might still be nearby.
Why Does My Delivery Look Moldy? Is It Old?
Mulch piles heat up and decompose, sprouting mold or fungi—think white/green patches or dust. It’s normal and good for soil, but the dust isn’t great to inhale. Wear a mask when spreading.
Visual Sample:
- Big Pine Logs
Got breathing issues or allergies? Let someone else spread it, and wait two weeks before stepping on it.
Learn more about fungi’s garden perks.
Where Should Deliveries Never Go?
Specialists must avoid dropping mulch here, even if asked:
- Blocking a neighbor’s driveway
- Trapping a car in a driveway (unless the owner says it’s fine)
- On tight or busy roads where it spills into traffic
- Around tree bases or over clear plantings
- Near or on property/structures that could buckle under the weight
Paying for a Delivery – Customers
AboutTrees.com lets you opt to pay for deliveries, charged post-Woodchip Load ($20–$80). No delivery, no charge. It’s optional—over half our Woodchip Loads are free—and helps cover specialists’ costs. Paying boosts your odds of a quicker Woodchip Load but doesn’t alter the load’s type or quality.
Payment’s not mandatory, just appreciated!
Service Fee for Tree Care Specialists
Specialists pay $20 per Woodchip Load—no subscriptions. In some areas, it’s free until we grow our user base; we’ll warn you before fees kick in. Woodchip Loads to paying customers are always free for specialists:
- Customer pays $20: Free Woodchip Load (they cover your fee).
- Customer pays $40–$80: Free Woodchip Load, plus credits for future Woodchip Loads (e.g., $60 offer = 40 credits for two Woodchip Loads).
Credits pile up for paying-customer Woodchip Loads and offset future fees. They’re only usable in AboutTrees.com, not cashable.
Legal Details
These Expectations of Service back up our Terms of Service. If they clash, the Terms of Service wins out.