Cedar vs. hemlock bark mulch

[Elaine R Follansbee]

Hi everyone! I've been having a ball reading this newsgroup...
Here's a question for those familiar with bark mulch. We've been using
hemlock bark mulch for years, but due to the high price and low
availability, we're considering cedar as a substitute. I've been assured
that they look very much the same, but what about weathering, and does
the cedar have a different, for better or worse, on the plantings? I was
told that the cedar oil in the mulch may have insect repellent properties
as a bonus, but I can't promise the source was totally impartial (can
anyone say "sales pitch"? ;-) 'Fraid pine/spruce mulch won't do the
trick, too brown, said the "boss"...
Thanks for your input.
Elaine F

[Christine A. Owens]

We use cedar mulch in the dog yard. It does have SOME insect repellant qualities; WAY
less of a flea problem with the cedar. It turns to a silvery grey in about two years.
The plants that ring the fence, and are also mulched in, seem to be just as happy as
other plants in the yard that are under pine mulch.

Chris Owens