I put down a layer of cardboard or paper sack to suppress the weeds. We have so many trees on our property that I run fallen limbs or dead trees through a chipper I bought a few years ago and make my own mulch. I use the mulch on top of the cardboard or paper sack layer.

If I were going to buy it, I would buy cypress for the trees and cedar for around the house. Cypress is the cheapest in my area. I've heard that cedar deters bugs.