Bark dust (shredded bark mulch or beauty bark) is a popular landscaping material derived from the bark of softwood trees, such as Douglas fir and Western hemlock. It is used primarily as a protective ground cover to suppress weed growth, regulate soil temperature, and retain moisture. The material is sold in bulk by the cubic yard, the standard unit of volume for landscaping materials, which contains 27 cubic feet.
Average Cost Per Cubic Yard
The material-only cost for a cubic yard of standard, bulk bark dust generally falls within a range of $30 to $65. This price is for the material itself when picked up directly from a landscape supply yard and represents a mid-grade product like shredded fir bark. Prices fluctuate based on current market conditions and the local availability of logging byproducts, the source of the bark dust.
Suppliers in areas with high timber production, such as the Pacific Northwest, may offer basic fir bark dust as low as $35 to $45 per yard. Conversely, regions that must transport the material over long distances will have a higher baseline price. This average price excludes taxes, delivery fees, and any premiums associated with specialized products, serving only as the starting point for calculating a total project cost.
Key Factors Driving Price Variation
The price paid for bark dust is highly influenced by the specific material chosen and its refinement process. Premium products, such as sliverless Hemlock bark dust or specific aged products, can elevate the cost significantly, often pushing prices toward $55 to $100 per cubic yard or more. Hemlock is valued for its fine texture and darker color, which is a desirable aesthetic.
Color enhancement also adds to the cost, as dyed mulches (typically black, red, or dark brown) require the application of an organic, non-toxic colorant. These color-enhanced products often retail in the $40 to $55 per cubic yard range, offering a vibrant, consistent look that lasts longer than natural color fading. Less refined materials, like coarse hog fuel or basic fill bark, are the most economical choice.
The source of the purchase also dictates the price structure. Buying bulk from a large commercial landscaping supplier or a local sawmill yields the lowest per-yard price compared to the equivalent volume from a retail garden center. Large suppliers often provide a bulk discount when ordering ten or more cubic yards.
Geographic location is a significant cost factor because bark dust is heavy and bulky, making transportation expenses high. Locations near active milling and logging operations, which produce the raw bark as a byproduct, benefit from lower prices due to reduced transportation costs. Areas far from these industrial sources see higher prices because the cost of trucking is integrated into the final retail price.
Calculating Quantity and Delivery Expenses
The total cost of a project must incorporate both the material price and necessary logistical expenses. To determine the quantity needed, one cubic yard of bark dust covers approximately 100 square feet when applied at a recommended depth of three inches. Applying the material at this depth is advised for effective weed suppression and moisture retention.
For example, a garden bed measuring 10 feet by 30 feet (300 square feet) would require roughly three cubic yards of bark dust to achieve the optimal three-inch layer. Estimating the correct quantity is important because ordering too little necessitates a second, often expensive, delivery charge, while ordering too much leads to unnecessary waste.
Delivery is almost always a separate, flat-rate fee added to the material cost, regardless of the number of cubic yards ordered. This charge is calculated based on the distance from the supplier’s yard to the delivery location. Typical delivery fees range from $50 to $150, but they can be higher outside the standard service radius. Many suppliers also enforce a minimum order requirement, such as two or three cubic yards, to qualify for bulk delivery service.