Mouldy Mulch

[Rebecca611]

I've stored some mulch (mini chipped bark) for about 2 months and had decided to use some today. However it is covered in white furry mould. Am I still able to use this in my garden?

[FP]

I did, last year, and the mould disappeared.  No plants were affected at all.  Perhaps someone else knows better.

[Rebecca611]

I got this response from the company who makes this chipped bark, and they said...The colonisation of bark by fungi is a totally natural phenomena and there is very little that can be done to prevent it. These organisms are very widespread in the environment where they perform the vital task of recycling organic matter and without them life on earth would not be possible. They vast majority are harmless saprophytic organisms that only feed on dead organic matter and will not harm living plants. Most of the time the fungi live unnoticed in the bark mulch and soil occasionally when conditions are favourable they produce mushrooms or toadstools, these structures are usually short lived and rapidly disappear or can be removed if desired. Once laid disturbing the surface of the bark may help discourage further production.