Bark Chippings Criticism

I am not a fan of bark chippings and seldom make use of them. To prevent weeds the layer has to be very deep or have a weed suppressing membrane as in the picture.

• Bark tends to migrate due to wind and rain to say nothing of little animals.
• Most bark that is sold looks clean and fresh, when new, but goes an amorphous grey quite rapidly.
• The picture above was in a public park and in addition to unsightly under layer there is litter and dandelions showing, not a good advert for the park or the chippings.

Good Uses of Bark Chippings

• In natural wood land areas for a consistant appearance.
• Where there is planting through the bark and it is used as a mulch as much as a decoration.
• Amongst heathers and prickly subjects where you do not want to put your hands.
• Some people use bark as a cushion where children may fall but animals and insects can make the bark less than perfect.