Fir Bark Installation

What This Service Involves

Fir bark is harvested from the Pacific Northwest's abundant Douglas fir and comes in graded nugget sizes from small to large, each with a rugged, chunky character. The larger nuggets are slow to decompose and let water pass straight through, which makes fir bark a smart choice for our rainy climate and for beds around rhododendrons and other acid-loving natives. Its coarse texture resists compaction and stays airy, protecting roots without smothering them. Because the pieces are heavy and interlocking, fir bark tends to stay put better than fine mulch on the region's sloped lots. We match nugget size to the scale of your beds so the finished look feels balanced.

Benefits

Excellent drainage that suits wet PNW soils; Slow to break down for fewer refreshes; Chunky texture resists compaction and stays airy; Locally sourced from regional Douglas fir; Ideal around rhododendrons and acid-loving plants

Our Process

1) Assess bed scale and recommend a small, medium, or large nugget grade; 2) Clear weeds and rake the soil surface level; 3) Spread fir bark evenly, keeping nuggets clear of trunks and crowns; 4) Grade the surface and blow off paths and patios

What Affects the Cost

Nugget grade and quantity of bark; Total bed area and coverage depth; Slope and access affecting spreading labor; Removal of old material if needed; Delivery distance within the Puget Sound region

Best Time of Year

Fir bark works well applied in spring or fall; a fall layer is especially good for insulating roots ahead of Northwest cold snaps.