defining decorative and Ornamental Bark
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Wood decorative material and landscaping aggregate
Scientific name(s):
Wood (varies by supplier)
Other Name(s):
Decorative bark chips, decorative bark chippings, decorative garden bark, ornamental bark, ornamental bark chippings, ornamental bark mulch
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Decorative bark, also known as ornamental bark, is an mid-priced and compostable decorative aggregate that can last up to five years. It is usually obtained from various types of coniferous trees, such as pine and spruce. This type of material is best suited for landscaping projects where cost and appearance are important factors. It usually has a dark brown to reddish colour that creates a beautiful contrast against the plants and shrubs in your garden, highlighting their greenery and giving your beds and borders a neat and natural look.
This encyclopaedia entry provides a thorough overview of decorative bark, a landscaping material and compostable, decorative aggregate. It details the type of product's general specifications, accompanied by photographs, and outlines its benefits, applications, and incompatibilities as a garden material. Additionally, this entry serves as a gateway to a wealth of DIY resources, with a list of comparable alternatives, articles offering design inspiration and fundamental principles, and a collection of straightforward, step-by-step instructions for constructing your own garden features.
Important note: As this is a general page about decorative bark, it is essential to note that variability factors exist, not just between brands but also between products from the same supplier. If a product's appearance or any other aspect is important to you, we advise requesting a sample prior to ordering.
Decorative Bark Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wood | 10mm - 50mm |
white wood | Dust & Fines | Certification | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
< 5% | Minimal | 3-7 years | Acidic |
Material
Generally mixed conifer, spruce or pine bark.
Colour
Dark brown to reddish brown, varies by supplier.
Shape
Flaky, mixed size pieces.
Size Range
10-50mm (0.4-2")
Fall Safety
Guaranteed suitable for play surfaces if certified.
1.8m at 15cm depth. See below.
Price
Mid-priced
White Wood Content
Generally below 5%
Dust and Fines Content
Minimal
Fire Safety
Yes, if certified.
Degradability
2-5 years to decompose, on average.
pH
Acidic
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Decorative aggregates like ornamental bark offer a multitude of benefits for gardens and landscaping designs. They help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and add an aesthetically pleasing look and beautiful texture to the garden. The natural look and feel of decorative bark integrates seamlessly with various design themes, from rustic to contemporary.
Decorative bark is valued for its organic, natural look and its ability to create a healthy environment for plants by regulating soil temperature and moisture. It's a sustainable choice that adds a layer of protection to the soil while gradually improving as the bark chips decompose. It re-vitalises the soil structure, permeability, bioactivity, and nutrient availability, which are critical for maintaining healthy plants.
The use of decorative bark, with its slightly acidic nature, offers both benefits and drawbacks in garden settings, although generally slow to develop. On the positive side, the acidic quality is advantageous for acid-loving plants like rhododendrons and blueberries. However, the acidity might not be suitable for alkaline-preferring species like dianthus, forsythia or privet, potentially leading to nutrient imbalances and eventually stunted growth. Gardeners should consider the specific needs of their plants and monitor the acidity in order to maintain a balanced soil pH, where necessary.
Certifications
This section lists the types of certifications that are available for this type of product and what they are for. However, this is a guide about the generic type of product, decorative bark. There may be many brands sold under this product category, but that does not guarantee their individual compliance, and it may not always be necessary depending on individual preference. For example, BS 7188 does not provide fall safety certification without the complimentary BS EN 1177 certification, yet some suppliers advertise it as fall safety certification.
This guide equips you with an understanding of certifications to consider, depending on their relevance to your specific use case, or whether they are deemed essential for your individual project outcomes. We add advisory for particular use cases, where we consider the certification to be critical for that type of application or situation. Any products listed on our site will always show their compliance, where it is applicable.
*BS 7188 is an optional supplement to BS EN 1177, offering further testing procedures and criteria for resistance to abrasive wear-and-tear, slip resistance, resistance to indentation, and flammability.
Certification | TYpe | applications | recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
BS EN 1177 | Fall Safety | Play Areas | Yes |
BS EN 4790 | 1987 Fire Tested | Fire prone areas | Yes |
BS 7188* | Product resistance | Play areas | Optional |
Sustainable Forestry | Sustainability | Optional |
Applications
Decorative bark products find their place in various applications, from mulching flower beds and tree bases to creating natural-looking pathways and borders. It's an excellent choice for covering large areas cost-effectively and is commonly used in both domestic gardens and larger landscape projects.
Decorative bark maybe used for safety surfaces in children's play areas, although there are some points to note.
In the following section, we list many common ornamental bark mulch uses in landscaping. Wherever there is a hyperlink beside an item, an article from Outdoor Aggregates about the topic is available.
Inspiration and Informational Articles
DIY-Friendly How-To Guides
Other Applications
Some other excellent applications for decorative bark include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that decorative bark may not be suitable for:
- 1Plantings that like highly alkaline garden soil.
- 2Use around young plants or seedlings which need more Nitrogen, especially if turned-in to the soil.
- 3Play areas for young children, below 10 years of age, due to safety issues.
Fall Safety Comparison
For your information, we provide the critical fall height safety of comparable materials.
Material* | Depth 15cm/6" | Depth 23cm/9" | Depth 30cm/12" |
|---|---|---|---|
Wood chips | 2m/7' | 3m/10' | 3.3m/11' |
Shredded bark mulch | 1.8m/6' | 3m/10' | 3.3m/11' |
Engineered wood fibre | 1.8m/6' | 2m/7' | 3.6m/12' |
Fine sand | 1.5m/5' | 1.5m/5' | 2.7m/9' |
Coarse sand | 1.5m/5' | 1.5m/5' | 1.8m/6' |
Fine gravel | 1.8m/6' | 2m/7' | 3m/10' |
Medium gravel | 1.5m/5' | 1.5m/5' | 1.8m/6' |
Taken from page 5 of 'The Handbook For Playground Safety'.
*For the uncompressed depth of each material.
Similar Alternatives to Decorative Bark
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to decorative bark. They may offer you a more suitable variation on the primary colour, a more economical option, or a close substitute for cases where the base material may be unsuitable for the project you are creating, e.g. landscaping bark for a play area, where play chips may be safer. The price averages are based on the cost of a standard bulk bag, approximately 1㎥.
Name | Colours | Material | Size | Shape | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
brown to red | Bark | 10-60mm (0.4-2.4") | irregular | UK, USA, EU | ||
brown to red | Bark | 20-60mm (0.8-2.4") | irregular | UK, USA, EU | ||
brown | Straw | 10-60mm (0.4-2.4") | mulched | UK, EU | ||
white or red | 5-40mm (0.2-1.6") | chips | UK, USA, EU | |||
white or red | 10-40mm (0.4-1.6") | chips | UK, USA, EU | |||
white or red | Wood | 10-40mm (0.4-1.6") | chips | UK, USA, EU | ||
brown | Cocoa | 5-40mm (0.2-1.6") | shells | UK, USA, EU |
Under £80
£80-£120
£120-£150
£150-£200
£200-£300
£300+
Maintenance
Decorative bark is low maintenance, especially when a heavy duty weed membrane is installed underneath to suppress weeds, with most work limited to raking and the occasional removal of debris. It is recommended to occasionally power wash the product in order to maintain its original colour and prevent the buildup of algae or moss. Natural quarry materials may also have dust which should be washed off with water during installation. For areas with heavy foot traffic, such as paths or footpaths, replenishing the chippings may be necessary over time to maintain depth and coverage.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing decorative bark, consider the size and type best suited for your project. Bulk bags are often more economical for larger areas. Ensure the product is sustainably sourced and appropriate for the intended use, whether for mulching, pathways or play areas.
Our bark calculator will give you a quick and unbiased estimate for your project needs just by taking a few measurements of the space. It is one of the best and easiest ways to order the right amount and helps avoid shortfalls or over-spending. Purchasing a decorative bark bulk bag or ordering in loose loads can offer better value than purchasing in smaller quantities. Therefore, calculating accurately can save both time and money. It is also important to consider the delivery aspects, including vehicle access to the site. Additionally, you can use our site to check stock availability and factor in VAT and transportation costs if applicable.
FAQs
What is decorative bark used for and what are the different types available?
Decorative bark is used for mulching, ground cover, and as an aesthetic enhancement in gardens and landscaping. There are various types, including pine bark, cedar bark, and mixed conifer bark, each with unique characteristics.
Can I use decorative bark indoors?
Yes, you can use many types of decorative bark indoors, but it must be a good brand and correctly looked after to prevent mould and avoid attracting fungus gnats.
Are there any alternatives to bark for landscaping?
Yes, alternatives include gravel, chippings, rubber mulch and pebbles.
How long does ornamental bark last?
Typically, it lasts 1-3 years before it starts to decompose and will need replenishing.
Can I use ornamental bark around plants or trees?
Yes, it's beneficial for plants and trees as it retains moisture and provides insulation.
