Description
Softwood Bark Chippings are a practical, cost-effective option for commercial and domestic landscaping. Made from indigenous coniferous species, these free-draining wood chippings for garden use are ideal for tidying borders and beds, dressing planting areas, and creating natural-looking pathways.
- 5–40mm particle size
- Attractive, natural appearance
- Clean to handle
- Free draining
- Long lasting
- Cost efficient
- Manufactured in the UK
- Minimal oversize pieces
Handling & safety
This product may produce dust when dry. Wear gloves when handling and consider eye protection or a dust mask if dust is created. Smaller bags can generally be lifted by hand; bulk bags may require mechanical lifting. Store away from chemicals, foodstuffs and sources of ignition.
Topping up existing areas
If you’re topping up an existing bark/woodchip area, check the condition of the current material first. Over time it can decompose and become compressed and firm, especially in dry conditions. If a thin layer of new material is laid on top, it may wear more quickly due to abrasion. For best results, top up at a suitable depth, or remove and replace heavily compacted material before re-laying.
Material: conifer (softwood) woodchip • pH: 4.5–5.5 • Non-toxic • Amenity and horticultural use
How we Deliver
This page sets out how we deliver products to you.
Please take the time to check that your delivery address can accommodate the requirements below as costs may be incurred for deliveries which cannot be performed due to non-compliance.
If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If the vehicle shown below may be too large to delivery to your property, please contact our sales office before ordering to discuss further delivery options on 01538 751514 or email info@playbark.com.
The delivery vehicle arrives. This is a typical vehicle that delivers our goods. It measures approximately 28ft in length and is approximately 8’6″ wide.
Please note that the goods are unloaded from the rear of the vehicle.
Please note that goods are not delivered with a crane/hiab facility and can therefore not be lowered over a fence or similar. We can also not deliver to the rear of properties due to access restrictions.
The driver positions the pallet truck. The driver uses a ‘pump’ pallet truck to lift the pallet so that he can wheel the pallet onto the tail lift.
The pallet load is lowered to the ground. The tail lift is lowered electrictronically by the driver. He carefully lowers the load to the ground so that it can be wheeled across the pavement.
Please note
The driver only has a legal obligation to offload the goods onto the roadside and in turn the liability and responsibility of the goods then passes to the customer.
However, at playbark.com we contract with reputable and obliging transport Companies whose drivers will endeavour to place the pallet into your driveway as long as the surface is of sound makeup such as concrete, paving or tarmac.
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE PALLET TRUCK CANNOT PASS OVER GRAVEL OR ANY TYPE OF ROUGH TERRAIN AND SIMILARLY THE DRIVER CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO PULL THE GOODS UP OR DOWN A SLOPING DRIVEWAY OR OVER CURBS.
Failure to accept this responsibility will result in the goods being returned to the transport depot and charges will apply.
Please note, these costs can be significant, so we ask all potential Customers to ensure that they familiarise themselves with the finer details of the delivery methods. If in doubt please contact our sales office on 01538 751514.
The safe passage of the Carrier’s delivery vehicle is the ultimate responsibility of the delivery driver. With this in mind if the driver assesses any delivery point road or carriageway and concludes it is unsafe or unviable to access the delivery property in question, this decision of the driver is final. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Customer and any potential purchaser to notify ourselves of any potential situation which may lead to the delivery being undelivered. Examples may include (but not exhaustive) cars parked preventing vehicle access, low growing tree branches, telephone/ electricity cables etc. Failure to accept this responsibility will result in the goods being returned to the transport depot and charges will apply.
The driver guides the pallet of bark to the customer’s driveway. The driver will endeavour (please see below) to place the pallet into the customer’s driveway.
The pallet of bark is placed into the customer’s driveway. The delivery is successfully completed!
Please Note:
In line with Customer Service and as a courtesy to all our Customer we do offer a facility whereby Customers can choose a preferred delivery day.
We endeavour to adhere to this specified day to the best of our ability, but as you will appreciate the National Carriers we contract with do have a mammoth task tackling road works, congestion and tachograph regulations.
With this in mind, please be aware sometimes they are delayed and as a result cannot deliver on the specified day. This doesn’t happen very often but we politely make it known to Customers we can’t pay compensation, wages, time or any other consequential loss a result of this delay.
To avoid any unnecessary expense, we strongly advise Customers wait until the delivery has been completed before arranging labour to install/lay the products ordered.
However if a Customer has specified the ‘Next Day’ option and the delivery wasn’t performed on this basis, we will gladly refund the £20 Next Day charge.
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Refusal of Goods , Wrongly Ordered Goods & Cancelled Orders
If Playbark.com have delivered the incorrect goods, we will gladly collect them or the Customer can refuse to accept delivery and there will be absolutely no expense to the Customer whatsoever.
However, if the goods have been incorrectly ordered by the Customer or the customer cancels the orders after the goods have been despatched, we will gladly arrange collection of the goods or additionally if the Customer refuses to accept the delivery of the goods (in the event of the goods been incorrectly ordered) the transport and re-collection costs will have to be paid by the Customer.
These costs will include the cost of the delivery from ourselves or our operating partners to the Customer’s property and similarly the cost of returning the goods from the Customer’s property back to the source.
We politely ask all Customers to double check the details before transmitting/placing the order as these costs cannot be waivered; Please be aware, we do not profit from these transport costs, they are the exact costs which Playbark.com incur from the transport Company.
What are bark chippings used for in the garden?
Bark chippings are used as a mulch on borders and beds to help suppress weeds, reduce soil splash and slow moisture loss. They’re also used to create a neat, natural finish in landscaped areas and informal pathways.
Are bark chippings good for borders and beds?
Yes. They’re commonly used around shrubs and plants to tidy the area and help with weed suppression, especially when laid at a suitable depth.
How deep should bark chippings be laid?
For most garden uses, a layer of around 50–75mm is a common guide. Lay evenly, allow for natural settlement, then top up as needed.
How long do bark chippings last?
They break down over time. As a general guide, expect to top up every 2–4 years, depending on conditions and how thickly they’re laid.
Do bark chippings stop weeds?
They can help suppress weeds, but they won’t stop all weeds. A good depth helps, and keeping on top of any weeds before laying makes a big difference.
Do I need weed membrane under bark chippings?
Usually not for borders and beds. Most people lay bark directly onto weeded soil so water and organic matter can still feed the ground as the bark breaks down. Membrane is more commonly used under paths or decorative areas where you want a more permanent separation from the soil.
Will bark chippings attract insects or pests?
Bark is a natural material, so you may see insects as it settles (as you would with soil and plants). It isn’t a sign of a problem, just part of a healthy garden environment.
Can I put bark chippings straight onto soil?
Yes. Clear weeds first and level the area. For best results, lay the chippings on top of the soil (don’t dig them in) and keep them away from plant stems and tree trunks.
How do I work out how much I need?
Measure the length and width of the area and choose your depth, then use the calculator on the product page to estimate volume and select the nearest bag or bulk option.
Are bark chippings safe for pets and children?
They’re widely used in gardens. As with any loose material, supervise young children and remove any larger pieces you spot after installation.
