Textraw® vs. Pine Straw |
| FEATURE | TEXTRAW® | PINE STRAW |
| AVAILABILITY | Dependable year-round production | Seasonal; spotty |
| COLOR | Consistent longleaf pine reddish-brown "spring" needles, the most prized...Because Textraw® is made from recycled materials, some shade variation is inevitable. | Inconsistent; depends on season, species, freshness, weather |
NEEDLE QUALITY | Consistent mixture of 10-14" strand lengths to simulate highly-desired old, original longleaf pine needles | Highly variable by species on pine; mostly loblolly and slash, with 6-10" needles |
| COLOR RETENTION | UV-stabilized; tested; warranted to retain color for minimum of three years | Decomposes immediately; turns brown; bleached gray in 6-12 months |
| VOLUME LOSS | None; does not decompose | 100% loss; most in first six months |
INSTALLATION | Clean, easy, quick | Gloves recommended |
MAINTENANCE | Turns, fluffs easily; extends life | Crumbles when turned of fluffed; top-dress every 4-6 months |
| MOISTURE RETENTION | Passes moisture to soil and helps prevent evaporation; patented concave needle profile funnels all moisture to soil | Needles absorb and trap moisture |
| ABRASION AND CRUMBLE RESISTANCE | Highly resistant to foot traffic and handling | Becomes increasingly brittle with age |
| SOIL NUTRITION | Over many years, breaks down into harmless carbon, hydrogen, calcium carbonate and iron oxide | Adds virtually no nutrients to soil, except acidity |
BREATHABILITY | Maintains breathability; helps oxygenate soil and deter mold and fungus growth | Mats, thatches and becomes spongy; decomposes and acts like second soil layer, causing roots to grow "up" |
CONTAMINANTS | None, always clean, pure, sterile bales | Even when hand-combed, contains weeks, grass seed, mold spores, pine pollen, insects, fungus, mildew, sticks, twigs, leaves and pine cones |
| INSECTS | Does not attract insects | Damp environment attracts insects, especially ants, roaches and termites |
| BED PREPARATION - WEEDS | Rake out old straw once; pre-emerge once; less weeds | Rake out old straw annually; pre-emerge annually; more weeds |
| FLAMMABILITY | Requires sustained exposure to flame to burn; will melt | Highly flammable when dry |
| CHEMICAL RESISTANCE | Not affected by herbicides or pesticides | Absorbs chemicals |
| RAINWATER RESISTANCE | Will not absorb water; lighter that water and will float; not recommended for low-lying areas subject to flooding or run-off | Will wash-away if used in areas subject to flooding or run-off |
| ENVIRONMENTAL / HARVESTING | 100% post-industrial recycled product; clean product can be recycled at end of useful life | Unregulated; mechanized raking increases tree mortality; over-harvesting negatively affects forest growth and soil productivity, causes erosion and loss of wildlife habitat |
| WARRANTY | Yes | No |
COVERAGE(at a 3.5" DEPTH) | One 25 lb roll: Approx. 50 Sq. Ft. Two 50 lb. Rolls, Approx. 100 Sq. Ft. | Varies since no two bales are alike, but generally figure on 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 bales to cover 100 Sq. Ft. |
