Jute BACKING is OK and will decompose, but what if the other fibers are
artificial? I've seen some big messes from this.
Wood chips from an arborist: try to get them from a pile that's been
sitting a couple years. Verticillium and probably other diseases travel
well in fresh chips.
This being spring, and spring clean-ups happenening everywhere...
Do not forget that used jute backed, carpet makes a great weed block. You
can collect acres of it curbside this time of year.
Cut the carpet in 3' round circles or squares, put a slice in it to the
center point, and you have a mulch mat.
Put the jute side facing up and slide around tree. Blocks weeds, rain goes
through it, it holds moisture in the ground, and can be removed easily in
the fall. Best of all it is FREE.
I would not spend my money on expensive weed mats, when they are all around
us for free. Invest in fruit, not mulch mats. Recycle, reduce, re-use.