Homemade mulch alternatives? Pine needles, huge branches?

Question

Maybe this is just a late night wacky idea, but is there a way to use natural materials already on our property as a mulch alternative?

I want to test out how the rock garden will look with mulch-like filler before actually investing in it, especailly if we go for the rubber mulch in the future. We have many fallen and cut branches, plus an area of about 40 feet of evergreen which will shed needles through the year.

Has anyone ever used shredded branches or pine needles for mulch with success? Have any other ideas?

Answer 1

That is all mulch is.  They put it through a wood chipper and add the dye to it to get it certain colors.  You need a high quality commercial wood chipper to get it ground up enough.  

Answer 2

I've used pine needles extensively.  We also got a wood chipper to make wood mulch.  Another thing we use is leaves that have been run over by the lawn mower.  All work just great.  We live in Florida, so use the wood mulch in gardens away from the house because it attracts carpenter ants and termites.  Pine needles and leaf mulch go around the house.