Brown Shredded Mulch vs Crushed Stone: Size, Cost, and Which to Use
Brown Shredded Mulch runs about $20 per ton and Crushed Stone about $20 per ton. Compare size, drainage, compaction, and which one to use.
Overview
Shredded bark and wood from trees like oak, hickory, and maple. Retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and regulates soil temperature. Decomposes slowly over time, adding organic matter to the soil. Adds a natural, finished look to landscape beds.
Crushed stone is rock that a quarry blasted, crushed, and screened into a set size range. It costs $20 to $40 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.35 to 1.55 tons per cubic yard, and is the base under nearly every road, driveway, slab, and patio in the country. The important difference from "gravel" in the natural sense is shape: crushed stone is angular, so the pieces lock together, while natural river gravel is rounded and rolls. Almost everything sold as gravel at a quarry is crushed stone.
Common Uses
Brown Shredded Mulch
- ✓ Landscape beds
- ✓ Tree rings
- ✓ Garden borders
- ✓ Erosion control
- ✓ Playground surfaces
- ✓ Slope stabilization
Crushed Stone
- ✓ Driveways
- ✓ Road base
- ✓ Concrete mix
- ✓ Drainage
- ✓ Paver base
- ✓ Backfill
Pros & Cons
Brown Shredded Mulch
- + Retains soil moisture reducing watering
- + Suppresses weed growth naturally
- + Insulates soil temperature
- + Decomposes to enrich soil over time
- + Attractive natural brown color
- − Needs replenishing every 1-2 years as it decomposes
- − Can attract termites if placed against structures
- − May temporarily rob nitrogen from soil as it breaks down
- − Floats and washes away in heavy rain
- − Can develop mold in overly wet conditions
Crushed Stone
- + Angular pieces interlock and carry weight
- + Cheapest bulk material at $20 to $40 per ton
- + A size for every job, from dust to 4-inch rock
- + Stocked at every quarry
- + Drains (clean) or packs (minus), your choice
- − Sharp edges, hard on bare feet and tires in big sizes
- − Plain gray look
- − Easy to order the wrong size
- − Larger sizes are hard to spread by hand
Cost Comparison
| Measure | Brown Shredded Mulch | Crushed Stone |
|---|---|---|
| Per ton | $20 – $40 | $20 – $40 |
| Per cubic yard | $25 – $45 | $25 – $55 |
Sizes & Colors
Brown Shredded Mulch
Shredded strips of bark and wood, typically 1-4 inches long. Natural brown color that fades to gray over time. Double-shredded mulch is finer and mats together better, resisting wind and rain displacement.
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone is sold by sieve size, from stone dust and #10 screenings (under 1/4 inch) through #8 (3/8 to 1/2 inch), #57 (3/4 to 1 inch), #4 (1 to 1.5 inches), #3 (1.5 to 2.5 inches), and #1 or #2 (2.5 to 4 inches). Every size is angular with fractured faces. Color follows the quarry: gray or blue-gray limestone, gray to pink granite, dark basalt, or tan sandstone and limestone in the South.
Published February 11, 2026
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