Free mulch from electric utility companies, tree care firms, or municipalities can be a great deal if you plan ahead for it. Electric utility companies and landscape firms that prune trees are often willing to share their shredded wood with homeowners, saving them a little money. However, state law requires them to take landscape waste to composting facilities and pay disposal fees. Some municipalities also share wood chips from their tree operations. Not every company or village will dump wood chips. To have mulch delivered to a specific site on your property or on a specific date, you will have to order it from a landscape supply company. Purchased mulch will usually be more uniform in appearance than coarsely ground free wood chips, and may require a price quote. Don't worry about using fresh mulch that could rob plants of nitrogen, a valuable plant nutrient.