Question
Can I lay sod over beauty bark and expect it to grow?
Ken

Answer
"beauty bark"?  That was a new term for me...So I did a quick web search.  Neither the organic nor non-organic mulch is good as a growing media, unless you're growing mushrooms!

Short answer: no.  Long answer: see below.

The sod will grow for a while, then develop what we call here in the west "fairy rings" or dead spots (usually in the form of an odd circle) all over the lawn. Usually caused by construction debris buried under the lawn area.

The reason is that the mulch or wood debris will leach out the nitrogen in the rotting process & kills the lawn roots.  Sorry, you've got to scrape it off, first, unless its REALLY well rotted, as in "composted".  Even then, I'd give you no gaurantee of success.

If it is the non-organic type (like chipped rubber or colored bits of old tire), its just plain bad for the plant roots...like trying to grow a plant on top of a pile of broken glass: no nutrients.

Sorry -M