Consumer Mulch Selection Table
Charact-
eristics
Pine Nuggets
Pine Mini-nuggets
Pine Mulch
Cypres Grade A
Cypress Grade B
Hardwood Mulch
Western Mulch
Western Pathway
Western Medium
Western Large
Color
Note 1*
Reddish Brown
Dark Brown
Light Brown
Golden Brown
Golden Brown
Dk Brown to Black
Reddish Brown
Reddish Brown
Reddis Brown
Reddish Brown
Longevity
Note 2*
Multiple
Multiple
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Single
Multiple
Multiple
Moisture Retention
Low
Medium
High
High
High
High
High
Medium
Medium
Low
pH: Note 3*
(N)
(N)
(SA)
(N)
(N)
(SA)
(SA)
(SA)
(N)
(N)
Particle
Size
1.25 - 3.5 in
0.5 - 1.5 in
< 1.5 in
< 3 in
< 3 in
< 3 in
< 1 in
0.25 - 0.5 in
0.5-2 in
1.75-3 in
Wood Content
Note 4*
< 15%
< 15%
> 15%
< 15%
> 15%
< 15%
> 15%
< 15%
< 15%
< 15%
Benefits
Pine Nuggets
Pine Mini-nuggets
Pine Mulch
Cypres Grade A
Cypress Grade B
Hardwood Mulch
Western Mulch
Western Pathway
Western Medium
Western Large
Decoration Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Good Good Good Good Excellent Excellent
Erosion Control Fair Fair Excellent Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Good Fair Fair
Moisture Control Fair Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Fair
Soil
Condit-
ioning		 Fair Good Excellent Fair Fair Excellent Excellent Excellent Fair Fair
Weed Control Good Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Good
Appli-
cations
Pine Nuggets
Pine Mini-nuggets
Pine Mulch
Cypres Grade A
Cypress Grade B
Hardwood Mulch
Western Mulch
Western Pathway
Western Medium
Western Large
Edging Good Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Fair
Drainage Areas Fair Fair Good Good Fair Good Good Good Fair Fair
Planting Beds Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Planters Good Good Good Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Good
Play Areas Fair Good Excellent Fair Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Good Fair
Slopes & Grades Fair Fair Good Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Good Fair Fair

*NOTES:

*1 Color may vary depending on regional tree species.

*2 Longevity is a rating of how long the product substantially maintains its original appearance and/or function. The rating for a single season or multiple season is an average based on a temperate climate and moderate intensity sun exposure.

*3 pH ratings include: (A) = Acidic; (SA) = Slightly Acidic; (N) = Neutral; (SB) = Slightly Basic; (B) = Basic.

*4 Wood Content Percentage is measured as a percentage of wood to total product weight.
Serving Industry Since 1972

Mulch and Soil Council
10210 Leatherleaf Ct., Manassas, VA 20111-4245
TEL: (703) 257-0111 / FAX: (703) 257-0213
info@mulchandsoilcouncil.org
Website created by Ryan LaGasse 2004