Non-composted chips leach the nitrogen out of the soil surface. Composted chips are more like soil. And full of nutrients to feed the soil and plants.
Look up "Back To Eden" gardening. Its all about wood chip gardens. But be aware, they talk about wood chips being the best thing ever but they don't often say they need to be composted first. Other cool things to look up are mycelia, And Vermaculture.
True, not elevation, but my area, I'd have to beg for some in town where they have lawns and trees, and I'd worry about them freezing. Over the years we brought up enough composted manure from the llamas to enrich 3 large planting beds, holy cow the worms went crazy in those beds!
Just today i walked out on the porch for a few minutes. Feeling ok today but last night was horrible. Julie got out and mowed the grass. Took all she had and a couple trips. It's about bed time
There I was..., minding my own business .... burning some sticks and branches...radio on...rotating the compost in my bins... and I notice something drifting down. I checked my small, fire. Nope..no ashes lifting out. It's snowflakes. A buddy of mine a few miles away sends me a text. It's snowing there also. Nothing sticking as it's in the upper 30's. Nice temps for what i was doing. No pics.. wasn't coming down hard enough. Oh well. Have a good day!
Took a few shots in my yard this afternoon: Marsh Marigolds Lupine and Chive Asparagus and strawberries Garlic. I let my strawberries grow everywhere they want to go. I walk where I want to keep trails open, as well as dig up and move ones that end up in the wrong place.