Hi Clare, I believe the answer is it depends on the material that is shredded. In the case of the pittosporum the amount of wood or brown material that it no doubt contains would suggest that you could (I believe) put it straight on the soil. Only in when the material contains a lot of green am I more careful - I still put it straight on the ground but in a thin layer. I have been experimenting with this for a while to avoid the double handling that composting requires. If I notice that some foliage turns yellow I add nitrogen in the form of blood and bone or chook manure. This has happened only to a small degree. I have had great results. Good luck with it. Pam

 Thank you . That helps a lot. I will try the same. Clare

 Hi Pam, Clare and other members. I was wondering the same thing because I"ve just had my pine trees shredded and the heap of fresh mulch has a pine oil smell that is noticeable from at least 10m away. Any ideas? I suspect I might need to wait months before putting it on my garden. Thanks for any advice Dave

 Hi fellow gardeners, has anyone used gum leaves as a mulch? If so how did it go, thickness, breakdown, does it add anything to the soil or rob it? Any extras i could add to it? I am living in a new area surrounded by beautiful gum trees, shady as well, so i am learning. Thanks Geoff