Guide to retail Hardwood Products
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Wood decorative material and landscaping aggregate
Scientific name(s):
Varies by species
Other Name(s):
Hardwood wood chips, hardwood wood chip, hardwood woodchip, hardwood chip, hard wood chips, hardwood chippings, hardwood play chips, hardwood bark chips
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Hardwood chips, also known as hardwood wood chips, are an affordable and compostable decorative material that can last up to eight years. They are usually obtained from mixed hardwoods and have a light reddish colour. The wood's natural colour which gives a bright and spacious feel to any outdoor space, while also creating a clean and textured appearance. This aggregate is best suited for landscaping projects where budget and appearance are important factors.
This encyclopaedia entry provides a thorough overview of hardwood chips, 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 hardwood chips, 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.
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wood | 10mm - 40mm |
white wood | Dust & Fines | Certification | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
100% | Minimal | 3-8 years | Neutral |
Material
A mix of hardwoods such as ash, beech, birch, oak, sycamore
Colour
Light red to light brown
Shape
Chipped
Size Range
10-40mm (0.4-1.6")
Fall Safety
Suitable for play surfaces at depth when certified
1.6m @ 100mm, 4m @ 200mm, 5m @ 300mm
Price
Economical
White Wood Content
100%
Dust and Fines Content
Minimal
Fire Safety
Yes
Degradability
3-8 years
pH
Slightly acidic
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Using decorative aggregates like hardwood chips in the garden or landscaping design brings a natural, organic aesthetic while providing practical benefits. They help retain soil moisture, suppress weed growth, and, as they decompose, enrich the soil with organic matter. The texture and colour of hardwood chips can enhance the visual appeal of any garden or outdoor space.
The pH of hardwood chips is slightly acidic, which can be beneficial for certain plants that thrive in acidic soils, although the breakdown is a very slow process. However, it's important to consider this when using them around plants that prefer alkaline conditions.
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, hardwood chips. 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 when it is not.
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
Hardwood chip products are versatile and can be used for many applications including mulching, creating pathways, chicken run floors and for play area surfaces. They provide a natural-looking, permeable surface for walking and a soft, safe surface for children's play areas.
Due to most retail products' 100% hardwood chip composition, they are generally a more durable option for most applications when compared to softwood chips and bark mulches that are typically available at garden centres. Additionally, bark mulch releases spores as it decomposes, which can be harmful to chickens.
In the following section, we list many common hardwood chips use cases 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 hardwood chips include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that hardwood chips may not be suitable for:
- 1Plantings that like highly alkaline garden soil.
- 2High-traffic areas (due to displacement).
- 3Using as a mulch in sloped areas, without some kind of grid to keep chippings in place
- 4Use around young plants or seedlings which need more Nitrogen, especially if turned-in to the soil.
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" |
|---|---|---|---|
2m/7' | 3m/10' | 3.3m/11' | |
Play bark | 1.8m/6' | 3m/10' | 3.3m/11' |
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' |
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 Hardwood Chips
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to hardwood chips. 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 to red | Bark | 20-60mm (0.8-2.4") | irregular | UK, USA, EU | ||
brown | Straw | 10-60mm (0.4-2.4") | mulched | UK, EU | ||
brown | Bark | 1-10mm (0.4") | mulched | UK, USA, EU | ||
white or red | 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
Hardwood chips are 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. Maintaining areas with hardwood chips also involves periodic top-ups to compensate for decomposition and displacement. It's also important to check for any fungal growth or pest infestation, especially in damp conditions. Regularly turning over the chips can help maintain their appearance and effectiveness.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing hardwood chips, consider product safety certification and future replenishments when calculating the type and quantity optimal for your project. If it is a priority, request a copy of the product's compliance certificate before purchasing hardwood play grade chips.
Our bark & wood chip 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 hardwood chip 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 local prices, stock availability, VAT and transportation costs if applicable. (Feature coming soon)
FAQs
What are hardwood chips used for and what are the benefits?
Hardwood chips are used for a variety of purposes, including as mulch in gardens, for creating pathways, in playground areas for safety, and for decorative ground cover in landscaping. The benefits of using hardwood chips include moisture retention in soil, weed control, adding organic matter to the ground as they decompose, and providing a natural aesthetic to garden beds and landscapes.
Can hardwood wood chips be used as mulch in gardens?
Yes, hardwood wood chips are excellent for use as mulch in gardens. They help retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually improve soil quality as they decompose.
Can wood chips be used for animal bedding?
Yes, hardwood chips can be used for animal bedding, particularly for larger animals like horses. They are absorbent and provide a comfortable, natural bedding material.
Where can I buy hardwood chips?
Hardwood chips can be purchased right here (feature coming soon), at garden centres, landscaping supply stores, and online retailers. It's also possible to buy them directly from local wood processing companies or arborists.
Can hardwood chips be composted?
Yes, hardwood chips can be composted. However, they break down slowly and should be mixed with 'brown' compostable materials to balance the nutrient content.
