What is wood chip?
Wood chip is branches and small trees put through a chipper. It is rougher and cheaper than bark and often free from tree surgeons. It suits paths, woodland areas and the base of hedges, and it breaks down faster than bark.
How deep should wood chip be?
Beds and around trees
5 to 7.5 cm
Informal paths
7.5 to 10 cm
Weed control on bare ground
10 cm
Play areas
30 cm
How does the calculation work?
Volume (m³) = area (m²) × depth (m)
A path 15 m long and 1 m wide at 10 cm: 15 × 0.1 = 1.5 m³. That is about 22 bags of 70 L, so bulk is the better buy.
Wood chip or bark?
Wood chip
Cheaper and rougher. Breaks down in one to two years.
Best for paths and wild areas
Bark
Neater and slower to rot. Costs more.
Best for show beds
Fresh chip
Can take nitrogen from the soil surface as it rots.
Keep it on top, do not dig it in
Aged chip
Left in a heap for six months. Gentler on plants.
Best around young plants