FAQ

Textraw® is synthetic pine straw made from recycled polypropylene. Polypropylene does not absorb water or chemicals. It recycles easily, from bottle scrap, carpet backing, fiber and yarn. Textraw® has been designed to simulate a consistent mixture of 10 - 14" reddish-brown pine needles that fall in the spring from the old, original long leaf pine trees, which are just about gone. Most natural pine straw today comes from loblolly or slash pine species, with needles that are shorter, typically 6 - 10". Because they don't contain as much resin, loblolly and slash decompose and lose their color quickly.

As odd as it may seem, even in the pine-laden area of the Southeast, good fresh pine straw is in short supply. Only 2% of the original range of long leaf pine growth remains. Even when pine straw is available, the color, quality, price, etc. are inconsistent. Bales typically contain sticks, cones, insects, mildew, weed seeds, etc. Bales usually vary in quality from vendor to vendor, and with the season. And as pretty as pine straw is, its only nutritional value is a slight increase in soil Ph. Since it decomposes and is absorbant, it's an attractive environment for pests, requires additional water and chemicals, and imports weed seeds into the garden

Textraw® was developed and tested over a 4 year period in Thomasville, Georgia. It was awarded U.S. Patent # 6,615,536 in 2003. Textraw® is a subsidary of Phil Chem Inc., manufactured in Greer, South Carolina.

Commercial and industrial properties that want high curb appeal and understand landscape maintenance use Textraw®. Commercial and industrial owners understand the savings in labor and materials on a life-cycle cost basis. Textraw® is perfect for:

Office and Industrial Parks Multifamily developments Strip shopping centers Apartments Fast food restaurants Motels Convenience stores

Banks Gas stations Corporate headquarters Churches Property managers Commercial landscapers Developers

Homeowners who want the best appearance and health for their plants and flowers, as well as reduced chemicals and water needs. Textraw® produces a breathable area aroudn foundations, which does not lock in the moisture and decomposition conducive to termites, roaches, mildew, and other problems. Rainfall from rooflines under eaves is dispersed by Textraw®, reducing the need for gutters.
Government facilities, highway ramps requiring erosion control.

Textraw® contains ultraviolet inhibitors to keep its color from fading due to sunlight, just like indoor-outdoor carpet does. Textraw® has been tested in a xenon arc accelerated weatherometer to the equivalent of 4 years outdoor exposure in South Florida without any significant color loss. We estimate the surface layer of Textraw® will easily maintain its color for 4 years. Areas not exposed to sunlight will last indefinitely. As Textraw® is occasionally flipped and fluffed, needles on the surface are turned under, and the life of Textraw® is increased.

Actually, natural pine straw contains virtually no nutrients, other than acidity. For some plants, that acidity is a small plus. For others, it is a minus. Since Textraw® does not mat down or thatch like natural pine straw, it maintains its breathability, which helps oxygenate soil and deter mold and fungus growth.

Since Textraw® does not decompose, insects are not attracted to it. Natural pine straw creates a dark, moist environment that attracts insects, particularly roaches and termites.

Dry pine straw is highly flammable. While Textraw® is not inflammable, it will melt. It requires exposure to a sustained flame to burn.

Textraw® holds moisture in the soil better than natural pine straw, which absorbs it, particularly as it decomposes into thatch. In fact, under low water conditions, natural straw can actually prevent moisture from reaching plant roots in the soil. Textraw® is extruded in concave strands, with a cross-section identical to natural straw. The shape increases the surface area, producing greater volume and soil moisture retention, since its patented design funnels moisture to the soil.

Textraw® can be treated with a flame retardant for indoor use. Ask your representative for details.

Pesticides and herbicides have no effect on Textraw®.

Textraw® is safe for the environment. It is made from post-industrial recycled product. After its useful life is over, clean product is capable of being recycled. Textraw® photodegrades into carbon, hydrogen, calcium carbonate and iron oxide, all harmless components.

Textraw® is not recommended for low-lying areas or areas subject to flooding or runoff, since it is slightly lighter than water. On the other hand, natural pine straw will also wash away in similar conditions. On steep slopes, an application of Textraw® Stay-Put is beneficial.

Textraw® should be turned, or fluffed, to maintain its appearance. Fluffing not only turns under organic debris such as leaves, but extends its life by exposing all needles evenly to the sun. Since Textraw®'s useful life-cycle depends on it staying in place, care must be taken not to overmow or edge with a weed-eater, and to maintain tucked borders with an application of Stay-Put.

Any old straw should be raked out. The old, moist, decomposed straw, which has become matted and spongy, can act like a second soil layer, and the plant roots may grow up into it, seeking moisture.

After the old natural straw has been raked out, a pre-emergent should be applied to the soil to treat any latent water seeds. After that, you won't be adding natural straw with its untreated weed and grass seeds, so you should get less weeds.

Spread Textraw® just like natural straw, shaking it out loosely, only don't worry about any contaminants or insects, like pine cones full of ants.

Since Textraw® does not crumble like natural pine straw, groundcovers like liriopes should not be cut back using a lawn mower or weed whacker.

Textraw® has a Limited warranty. Ask your representative for a copy, or download the .pdf from the Home Page.

A Twenty (20) pound roll of Textraw® will cover 40 sqaure feet to a depth of 3.5". This is equivalent to two 15 lb. bales of natural pine straw. Textraw® equals about 2/3 of a cubic yard of wood mulches, such as hardwood, cypress, colored mulch and mini-bark.

Results of a 4 year study:

• Textraw® 86 cents per square foot
• Pine Straw $1.19
• Wood Mulch $1.45