Unbiased Guide to Pine Bark Products
By Ben Parrot - Landscape Gardener & Amateur Geologist
Classification:
Bark decorative material and landscaping aggregate
Scientific name(s):
Pinus pinaster (maritime pine)
Other Name(s):
Bark pine, pine bark mulch, mulch pine bark, pine bark chips, pine tree bark, pine bark nugget, pine bark fines, pine bark nuggets, fine pine bark
Overview
Welcome to the only encyclopaedia for decorative aggregates and landscaping materials. Pine bark chippings, also known as pine bark, is a mid-priced and durable decorative material that can be found in many different forms, from fines to chunky nuggets. The bark usually has a dark brown to reddish colour that creates a beautiful contrast against the plants and shrubs, highlighting the greenery and giving beds and borders a beautiful, natural look. Good quality maritime pine nuggets are imported from Spain and Portugal, where most of the maritime pine coastal species grows. This aggregate is best suited for landscaping projects where durability and appearance are the key factors.
This encyclopaedia entry provides a thorough overview of pine bark mulch, 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 different kids of pine 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.
Pine Bark Chippings Specifications
material | colour | shape | sizes | fall safety | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bark | 10mm - 60mm |
white wood | Dust & Fines | Certification | degradability | ph | diy friendly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5-20% | Varied | 3-8 years | Acidic |
Material
Pine tree bark
Colour
Dark brown to reddish brown
Shape
Nuggets, shredded and fines
Size Range
10-60mm (0.4-2.4")
Fall Safety
Certified types suitable for play surfaces (at correct depths)
1.6m @ 100mm, 4m @ 200mm, 5m @ 300mm
Price
Mid-priced
White Wood Content
5-20%
Dust and Fines Content
Varies by product
Fire Safety
Yes
Degradability
Compostable over 3-8 years
pH
4.5-5.5 pH
DIY-Friendly
Yes
Benefits
Using decorative aggregates like pine bark as mulch offers numerous benefits in garden and landscape design. They are aesthetically pleasing, providing a natural and textured finish to any space. Decorative aggregates also aid in moisture retention, reducing the need for frequent watering and suppressing weed growth, reducing maintenance efforts. Additionally, they provide insulation to soil, protecting plant roots from extreme temperatures.
The use of pine bark chippings, in particular, is favoured for its natural, rustic look and its ability to create a cohesive woodland aesthetic. It can add an acidic balance to the soil, benefiting acid-loving plants. The lightweight nature of pine bark makes it easy to spread and ideal for a variety of garden projects.
However, its acidic nature may not be suitable for all plant types. In gardens requiring a neutral to alkaline pH, pine bark could potentially hinder plant growth. Conversely, for acid-loving plants, it's an absolute boon, enhancing nutrient uptake and overall health.
Commercial pine barks obtained from pine tree species, such as maritime pine or Scots pine, can offer a significant lifespan improvements over spruce-based barks.
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, pine bark for gardens. 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
There are three main types of pine bark garden products. They are pine bark mulch, pine bark fines and pine nuggets. Each type of pine bark product has its own set of characteristics that make it suitable for different applications. While there are few hard and fast rules, next we list the main ones.
Pine Bark Mulch
Pine bark mulch is typically made from shredded and chopped pieces of pine bark. It's a versatile material used in various gardening and landscaping applications. It can be commonly called decorative or ornamental bark, among others.
Pine Bark Fines
Pine bark fines are very small pieces of pine bark, often resembling a coarse powder or very small chips. They are known for their soil conditioning properties.
Pine Bark Nuggets
Pine bark nuggets are larger chunks of pine bark and are often used for their decorative appeal as well as their functional benefits in play areas and deluxe borders.
In the following section, we list many common pine 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 pine bark include:
Unsuitable For
The following list represents the kinds of applications that pine 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.
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' | |
Pine bark nuggets | 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' |
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 Pine Bark Mulch
The following is a list of decorative aggregates which are alternatives to pine bark 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 | ||
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
Pine bark is generally 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 hose or power wash the product in order to prevent the buildup of dust and grime.
Pine bark generally settles lower over time, up to 10-15%, so infrequent replenishment of the bark chippings will be necessary to maintain safety depth and coverage, wherever applicable.
Purchasing Tips
When purchasing pine bark chippings, 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 any play grade bark. Also, where available, it is always cost-effective to request a sample to assess the chippings' quality against your design requirements, if aesthetic characteristics are important to your project.
Our bark and 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 bulk bag of play bark 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. (Feature coming soon)
FAQs
What is pine mulch used for?
Pine mulch is used for suppressing weeds, retaining soil moisture, and adding an aesthetically pleasing, natural look to garden beds, paths, and around trees.
How can pine bark benefit my garden?
Yes, pine bark benefits gardens by enhancing moisture retention, suppressing weed growth, adding a rustic aesthetic, and potentially acidifying the soil for acid-loving plants.
Is pine bark safe for pets?
Pine bark is generally safe for pets.
Where can I buy pine bark?
Pine bark can be purchased at garden centres, landscaping suppliers, and from online retailers via our website. (Feature coming soon)
Can pine tree bark be used as mulch?
Yes, pine tree bark mulch is excellent for gardens, especially around trees, shrubs, and acid-loving plants.
How long does bark pine mulch take to decompose?
Pine bark takes 3-8 years to decompose, depending on environmental conditions and the size of the bark pieces.
