I agree with Steve----beauty bark is a very common addition to properties that compromises otherwise proper clearances between the ground and untreated wood materials.  Keeping these materials properly cleared away is essential to eliminating pathways into the structure for wood destroying organisms.  Untreated wood in the NW has a hard enough time as it is without "inviting" the moisture in.

As always Steve, informative and accurate.  Thanks.

Thanks Steve.  I always tell my sellers when they are getting ready to list the property to check for all earth-wood contact.  If only they would keep an eye on it before the home went up for sale, I think we would have a lot fewer rotting decks.  Moisture is definately an issue here in Washington.

Good advice we have the same issue with earth-wood contact here in CA. Not only due to rot but also subterranean termites.

Thanks for the comments. Wet WA has a real issue with wood to earth but, frankly, it is a problem just about anywhbere and is always to be avoided. Obviously, with pressure-treated lumber, there is more flexibility in many circumstances.