8 Types of Wood Mulch

Cedar and cypress mulch are only two of the many kinds of wood mulch available for homeowners. Mulch is the term used to describe the material used as ground cover or water-retaining material around shrubs, trees and landscaping. Cedar and cypress mulches are considered the "cream of the crop" when it comes to wood mulches, but each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

1. Cedar Mulch

Cedar oil is a natural insect repellant. That same fragrant aroma that keeps moths and pests out of your cedar chest or closet, works to keep pests away from your plants when you mulch with cedar. In areas where termites are a problem, that particular characteristic makes it worth paying the higher cost for cedar mulch.

2. Cypress Mulch

Cypress mulch, like cedar, is a natural insect repellent. It's a good pest repellent, but it's more expensive than other mulches. Cypress trees are harvested from Florida wetlands and are considered a non-eco friendly mulch.

3. Straw or Hay

Straw isn't the same as hay and when it comes to mulches. Straw is preferred over hay, because it has fewer weeds and seeds. Straw is the preferred winter mulch because of its insulating qualities. Straw mulch must be removed in the spring.

4. Pine Needles

Pine needles make a great mulch for acid loving plants, like azaleas. Advantages to pine needles include the boost to the soil for acid loving plants, and the fragrance of pine around your house and yard. A disadvantage is the high cost, especially if pine needles aren't native to your area and must be shipped in.

5. Bark

Bark mulch is probably the most attractive mulch, according to the experts. The even color of the bark and the naturalness of the color make it more appealing than a dyed wood chip. Bark mulch, especially if you are mulching your own, can be less expensive and easily available. Advantages are plentiful, but a major one is that bark allows water and air to move into the soil more freely. Disadvantages include having to remove bark mulch in the spring.

6. Wood Chips

Wood chips are the roughest kind of mulch you can get. Most homeowners use chips from their own yard clearing efforts. Wood chips are usually free or inexpensive. However, they don't last as long, look as good and may have pest infestations from the limbs used.

7. Colored Mulch

Colored mulch gives a cleaner, more uniform look to extensive mulching. Colored mulch comes in red and black and some specialty colors. It's more expensive than non-colored mulch and the dyes fade in the sun, or fade unevenly, eventually ruining the appearance. The dye is environmentally safe and non-toxic, but can transfer to your hands when you spread the mulch.

8. Non-colored mulch

Non-colored mulch is made from pine peelings that are merely wood shavings. Many homeowners who do a lot of woodworking, or have done recent home construction, may use shavings as a mulch as well.