[Gardening] thoughts on wood chips

It should be noted the fresh wood chips can decrease the nitrogen available to plants, as the microorganisms in the soil take up nitrogen to break down the fresh wood chips. I tend to use fresh wood chips in paths or other places I don't want things to grow, or age the chips a year or so before applying them to garden beds. I'm planning on digging out some of the older material in my paths, putting that on the garden, the putting these fresh chips in the paths (and in the chicken coop). I've read some contrary information on line (for example: http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBgQFjAA&am… ) but generally I see more pointing towards concern than to not. Thoughts? -Damian 219 Lafayette