Pieces of wood such as woody waste in the form of small slabs, and esp. pieces of tree bark, destined to be spread on the soil to protect cultivated plants such as shrubs, flowers, etc., as well as posts, planks, etc., are impregnated with an agent (I) which is repellent to animals. Pref. (I) is bone oil, which is not leached out of the wood chips by rainwater and which is therefore effective for long periods. The wood chips may additionally be impregnated with insecticide to protect plants against insect pests, and with a fertilizer which diffuses plant nutrients into the soil. USE/ADVANTAGE - The impregnated wood chips are used as a mulch round plants, shrubs, posts, etc., to discourage the growth of weeds and to retain the moisture level in the soil whilst allowing good breathing of the soil. Impregnation of the wood chips with an animal repellent agent discourages animals such as dogs and cats from dislodging the mulch and from damaging the plants etc.
