| Feature |
Textraw |
Pinestraw |
| Dependable year-round production |
Seasonal; spotty |
| Consistent longleaf pine reddish-brown "spring" needles, the most prized |
Inconsistent; depends on season, species, freshness, weather |
| Consistent mixture of 9-10" 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 |
| UV-stabilized; tested; warranted to retain color for 4 years |
Decomposes immediately; turns brown; bleached gray in 6-12 months |
| None; does not decompose |
100% loss; most in first six months |
| Clean, easy, quick |
Gloves recommended |
| Turns, fluffs easily; extends life |
Crumbles when turned or fluffed; top-dress every 4-6 months |
| Passes moisture to soil and helps prevent evaporation; patented
concave needle profile funnels all moisture to soil |
Needles absorb and trap moisture |
| Highly resistant to foot traffic and handling |
Becomes increasingly brittle with age |
| Over years, breaks down into harmless carbon, hydrogen, calcium
carbonate and iron oxide |
Increases acidity |
| 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" |
| None, always clean, pure , sterile bales |
Even when hand-combed, contains weeds, grass seed, mold spores,
pine pollen, insects, fungus, mildew, sticks, twigs, leaves and pine cones |
| Does not attract insects |
Damp environment attracts insects, especially ants, roaches and
termites |
| Rake out old straw once; pre-emerge once; less weeds |
Rake out old straw annually; pre-emerge annually; more weeds |
| Requires sustained exposure to flame to burn; will melt |
Highly flammable when dry |
| Not affected by herbicides or pesticides |
Absorbs chemicals |
| Will not absorb water; lighter than 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 |
| 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 |
| Yes |
No |
| 40 sq ft @ 3.5" depth |
Depends on bale size |
