|
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)
|
1 20 lb roll: Approx. 40 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 |
