Wood chips vs gravel vs decomposed granite
Pick the surface before you pick the depth. Each of the three has a clear "best for" profile, and the failure modes are predictable when you go off-brief.
| Surface | Best for | Cost (2026 US) | Lifespan | Fails when… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arborist wood chips | Woodland gardens, vegetable garden paths, dog runs | Free (ChipDrop) or $20–$40/cu yd | 12–18 months at depth | Used on slopes > 8% (washes), or with mobility devices (sinks) |
| Large pine bark nuggets | Decorative ornamental paths, mid-formality | $60–$90/cu yd or $5/2 cu ft bag | 3–4 yr | Walked barefoot (sharp), or in fire-risk zones |
| Crushed gravel (3/8 in) | Drainage-critical paths, ADA-style firm surfaces, side yards | $35–$55/ton (≈ 1 cu yd) | 10+ yr with edge restraint | Installed without a 4-in base layer (migrates into soil) |
| Decomposed granite (DG) | Formal gardens, Mediterranean and xeriscape styles | $50–$80/ton plus stabilizer | 5–10 yr (stabilized) | Wet climates without good drainage (turns to mud) |
| Cedar chunks | Aromatic high-traffic paths near patios | $70–$110/cu yd | 3–4 yr | Acid-loving plant beds adjacent (pH drift) |
Depth and base layer — where most paths fail
A wood-chip path at 2 inches turns to mud after one rain. The minimum functional depth is 4 inches, and 6 inches buys you another 6 months between refreshes. The single biggest install mistake is laying mulch directly on grass without removing turf or laying a base.
- 4 in — minimum for light, occasional foot traffic; refresh every 10–12 months
- 6 in — standard for daily-use paths; refresh every 18 months
- 8 in — heavy use (commercial, dog runs, hose drag); first-year compression is 35–45%
- Base layer — strip 2 in of turf, add 1–2 in of compacted gravel or sand for drainage on any path used in wet seasons
- Edge restraint — stone, brick, steel, or 2×6 cedar; without it, 30–40% of mulch migrates into adjacent beds within 12 months
Worked example: a 3 × 30 ft garden path
Same path in 3/8-inch crushed gravel: 90 sq ft × 0.33 ft (4 in compacted, no settling factor for stone) = 29.7 cu ft = 1.1 cu yd. At $45/cu yd delivered: $50 in stone, plus $35 for a 4-inch sand-and-gravel base layer underneath = $85 total materials, with a 10-year lifecycle vs the chip path's 18 months. Pick the gravel option if the path crosses a low spot or is used with a wheelbarrow daily.
Hybrid paths and what NOT to do
The strongest residential garden path is a hybrid: 2–3 inches of crushed gravel base for drainage, topped with 3 inches of arborist chips for cushion and look. This is the standard for woodland gardens at U.S. botanical institutions (e.g., the New York Botanical Garden's azalea-collection paths). Gravel handles water, chips handle feet.
- Strip the path corridor of turf and topsoil (2 in down)
- Lay landscape fabric only on slopes or under hybrid stone/chip — skip it on flat chip-only paths (fabric blocks worm activity)
- Spread 2–3 in compacted 3/8-inch crushed gravel as base
- Install edge restraint (steel, stone, or cedar)
- Top with 3 in of fresh arborist chips, raked to a slight center crown
Two materials to actively avoid for paths: cocoa hull mulch (slippery when wet and toxic to dogs — the same theobromine that affects chocolate-eating pets) and fine shredded hardwood sold for ornamental beds (mats into a wet slab that holds water against your soles).