Q: I have a sloping yard that has developed a gully on one side that is hard to mow. I am having a tree removed and wonder if I can fill in with the chips, then cover with dirt and plant grass. 

A: If you fill the gully with chips and then cover with soil, the wood will decompose and the soil will subside in just a couple of years. The best fix is to fill the gully with soil in 6” increments , packing each one tightly except the last 6” layer. You can plant sod or seed in the last soil layer.