> But the wood chips bring another problem which is pH levels that may go too low.

Is this something you've measured? I add a lot of wood chips and conifer needles and it's not a problem; the compost ends up between 6 and 7.5 pH (neutral is 7). I also liberally spread woodchips on the paths between the beds and things are fine.

The effects of wood mulch on plants and composts are well understood:

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/ec-1629-mulchi...

If want to change the pH of your soil you need something stronger, like sulphur or lime.

I haven't measured because I broke my pH testing kit.

Thanks for the pointers, I will read further.