Cypress Mulch Vs. Hardwood Mulch

Overview

Mulches have many uses in the landscape. They can be decorative, they serve as protection for plants, and can add beneficial nutrients to the soil. Mulch in available in many forms, such as hardwood and cypress. They add both beauty and functionality to your space.

Hardwood Mulch

Hardwood mulch is made from the bark of hardwood trees like the maple and the oak. The most common form of this mulch is shredded. This allows the mulch to mat together to prevent it from floating during irrigation. Because of its heavier weight, hardwood mulch is ideal for using on slopes

Cypress Mulch

Cypress mulch is made from the ground-up cypress tree. This mulch is also most commonly found in a shredded form. Cypress mulch is much lighter in weight and should not be used as a soil erosion cover on sloped areas. Cypress mulch can aid in the deterrence of insects.

Color Difference

Hardwood mulch is dark brown in color. From a distance it looks like soil, and blends in naturally. Cypress mulch is much lighter in color, similar to straw. The lighter color reduces air temperature around the plant and therefore reduces water loss.

Benefits

Both mulches help retain moisture in the landscape during summer months and insulate the root systems in the cold summer months. The mulches should be applied in a layer at least 2 inches deep. Hardwood mulch should not exceed 3 inches in depth, while Cypress can be applied a little heavier, to about 4 inches. Both mulches when applied at the right depth, will help suppress weed growth. These mulches also break down and add nutrients to the soil.

Misconceptions

No matter which mulch you choose, there is one big misconception about mulch: it contains termites. In a majority of cases termites live underground. The worker termites come out of the ground looking for food to take back to the colony. While they may be seen near mulch, it is rare that they feed on it.