Wood chippings from ex hedge

Just had hedge of hazel,blackthorn and hawthorn hammered from 5m to 1m. I have lots of chippings. (c 1 cubic meter?).What can I/ should I use it for ? Can i use it straight on trees as mulch or on beds or do i have to wait for it to rot down ?

Thanks for your help

 

Id use it to multch the base of the hedge and around shrubs.

BTW if Id been doing the job Id of sudgested laying rather than just topping it as this creates a denser hedge.