Bark Calculator

Bark is the outer layer stripped from logs, sold as nuggets or shredded. Mulch is a broader term covering bark, wood chips, straw, compost and more. Bark nuggets are chunkier, last two to three years, and float in heavy rain. Shredded mulch knits together and stays put on slopes.

Nine to twelve inches of certified play-grade bark is the usual specification for equipment with a fall height up to about 7 feet. Set the depth field to 9 or 12 inches and expect a much larger order than a decorative bed — play surfacing is a volume job.

Bark itself is not a food source that draws termites in, but any damp organic layer against a foundation gives them cover. Keep bark and mulch at least 6 inches back from siding and never pile it above the weep holes on brickwork.

Measure the length and width in feet at the widest points and multiply them. For an irregular bed, break it into rectangles, circles and triangles, calculate each one separately and add the results together. Rounding up slightly is safer than rounding down.

Bulk is almost always cheaper per cubic yard once you need more than about 1 cubic yard — roughly 14 bags. Bags win when you need a small amount, have nowhere to dump a pile, or want to spread the job over several weekends.

A half-ton pickup can usually carry about 1 cubic yard of light material like mulch, but only around half a cubic yard of wet soil or gravel because of the weight. Check the weight figure above against your vehicle's payload rating before you load up.