I’m liking shredded leaves as a mulch. They don’t blow around like whole leaves. Not too bulky. No seeds. My leaf blower has a big tube that goes on the suction side and a bag on the exit that catches the shredded leaves. Unfortunately, the bag had a blow out before I could get the whole garden mulched. I finished it off with spent hay which I’m sure has a few seeds in it.
I’ve used that as well for the garden.
However, with the number of trees we have, making wood chips is not a problem.
Box Elder stinks. Terrible for wood chips. It’s supposed to stink when burning it, too. Garbage tree if you ask me.
Cedar and pine smell much nicer.