Is pine straw the same as pine needles?
pine needles are called pine straw, depends upon what locality you live in, but they are the same. There are several kinds of pine trees, some have softer needles than others. Also, when they are on the trees, they are all called pine needles. Sometimes after they fall, they are called pine straw
Where can you buy pine straw?
Wholesale Pine Straw. Alachua Straw Company is one of the largest long leaf pine straw distributors in the southeast, with over 6,000 acres of long leaf pine plantations currently under management. Long leaf straw is for those customers that want the absolute best pine straw in their landscaping. The qualities that make long leaf straw the absolute best are an extra protective coating that allows it to last longer and keep its deep rich color longer than other types of straw.
What is attracted to pine straw?
- Many garden-variety plants such as flowers and shrubs grow better with a pine straw coating. ...
- The mulch protects your yard and garden against brutal cold weather. ...
- It’s the same as any other mulch in its ability to keep weeds from germination. ...
Where and how pine straw is sourced?
The Pine straw we source is harvested in South Carolina. The pine straw is hand raked on designated property. Each raker works a section of the field where they will assemble a pile of pine straw. From this pile, the raker will pick-up with two handfuls of pine straw and shake the straw to remove any debris.
What tree does pine straw come from?
Longleaf, slash and loblolly are the most commonly used species for pine straw. Other pine species can be used as long as the needle characteristics are similar.
How do they harvest pine straw?
Pine straw may be harvested mechanically or raked by hand. Mechanical operations are often conducted by a contractor who has a tractor-drawn rake that pulls the needles into piles between the rows of trees.
Where does pine straw mulch come from?
People often ask, "Where does pine straw come from?". The answer: In South Carolina, as well as the Sand Hills of North Carolina where large tracts of Longleaf Pine Trees reside. Pine Straw Box Baler which is usually made from wood or metal.
Where does pine needle mulch come from?
Pine straw is an organic mulch made from fallen pine needles, explains Mary Jane Duford, founder of the beginner gardening blog Home for the Harvest. Like any garden mulch, pine needles create a protective layer that insulates plants, keeps the ground moist, enriches the soil and blocks weed growth.
Why do they use pine straw in the South?
Besides the environmental benefits, pine straw mulch also: Insulates tender roots from temperature extremes, in turn, keeping the soil warm during cold spells and, conversely, cool during hot spells. Conserves soil moisture by reducing water evaporation rates and moisture loss.
Which is better to use pine straw or mulch?
In short, it comes down to personal preference. Pine straw mulch is cheaper and easier to transport as it does not require tools to spread. On the other hand, shredded mulch offers more options for color, better water retention, and stays in place better than pine straw.
Should you remove old pine straw?
There is no need to remove the old ground cover (bark, mulch, pinestraw). As the material breaks down, it will add organic matter and nutrients into the soil. It is like a slow release fertilizer.
Does pine straw attract termites?
Bugs don't eat dry pine straw, but other qualities draw in bugs including termites, centipedes and earwigs. Some of these insects help break the pine straw down, which is good for deterring weeds, but for the most part its best to keep critters away from your house.
What's the difference between pine needles and pine straw?
Once the needles have fallen off the tree, they will dry out and become brittle. And that is what we call pine straw. Pine straw is often used as mulch or packing material, and it can be a great addition to your garden. Pine straw is brown or reddish in color, and it can be shorter than pine needles.
Does pine straw attract roaches?
Pine straw mulch often attracts roaches because it is lightweight and they can burrow within it easily. Straw also holds ample moisture for plants, and that moisture is exactly what roaches seek.
What are the pros and cons of pine straw?
Mulch and pine straw have their pros and cons based on their particular use. Pine-straw can be less expensive to cover a specific area but can become an eyesore and need to be refreshed more often. Whereas mulch contains more nutrients for the soil but tends to erode and requires more attention to eliminate weeds.
What plants do not like pine straw?
8 Plants That Do Not Like Pine NeedlesRoses.Asters.Boxwood.Thistles.Lavender.Artichokes.Euphorbias.Decorative Garlic.
How do you gather pine needles?
6:138:47The Best Ways To Pick Pine Needles Up Off The Lawn - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you can very easily come out with a leaf blower. And fluff up the grass. And pull all of theseMoreBut you can very easily come out with a leaf blower. And fluff up the grass. And pull all of these pine needles up.
What do you do with fallen pine needles?
8 Brilliant Uses for Fallen Pine NeedlesCREATE FIRE STARTERS. Bundle a handful of dry needles with thread to use along with kindling wood and newspaper. ... USE AS MULCH. ... MAKE A DISINFECTANT. ... FLAVOR VINEGAR. ... BREW A FOOTBATH. ... COOK WITH THEM. ... FRESHEN UP A ROOM. ... FILL OUTDOOR PILLOWS.
How much does a bale of pine straw weigh?
35 poundsA single bale of pine straw, weighing on average 35 pounds, covers about 50 square feet.
Are pine trees profitable?
Growing pine trees for profit provides people with a valuable source of income. With time and patience, you can build a tree farm that will turn a profit in many different ways.
What is removed before baling pine needles?
Trash, pine cones, bark, rocks, etc are removed before baling to ensure there is no debris mixed in with the pine needles. From there, our pine needles are hand-raked and baled, using box balers. Hand-baled pine straw is packed much tighter ensuring that each bale holds more pine straw. All the needles we purchase our fresh.
Do pine needles last longer?
Fresh NC pine needles that have been hand-raked and hand-baled last much longer and provide more ground cover than pine needles purchased in a store. They provide the best value for your home or business while benefiting local businesses. Contact us today for an estimate of your ground cover project. We are proud to offer pine straw spreading in addition to our pick-up and delivery service.
Where does pine straw come from?
Short needle pine straw is sometimes called “loblolly” after the loblolly pine tree ( Pinus taeda ), from which it originates. These trees are very common all over the southeastern United States, and also range as far west as Texas and as far north as New England. The needles from a loblolly pine average from four to six inches in length.
What is pine straw and what is it used for?
Pine straw is used in landscaping for purposes such as erosion control, weed blocking, water retention, and general appearance.
When is the best time to get pine straw?
Pine straw is a crop, and like many other crops, the best time to get it is when it is freshly harvested. The best time to harvest is usually in late fall to early winter, as pine trees tend to drop their needles in abundance when other trees are also dropping their leaves for winter. Newly fallen pine straw lasts the longest, and if it is kept dry and sheltered from the elements, it can be stored for weeks or even months until it is used with little to no effect on its appearance or durability.
What is long needle pine straw?
Long needle pine straw typically comes in two sub-varieties, slash and southern long leaf, and are also named for the trees from which they are obtained. Long needle pine straw is termed such because the needles from the slash and southern long leaf trees ( pinus elliottii and pinus palustris, respectively) are significantly longer, thicker, ...
How long are slash pine needles?
The slash and southern longleaf pine have smaller ranges, being particular to the southeastern states. The needles from a slash pine average from seven to nine inches in length, while the needles from the southern longleaf pine average from seven to sixteen inches in length.
How far away from home should pine needles be mulched?
Because of its combustion characteristics, pine needles are recommended for mulching only in areas at least 30 feet from the home ( source ).
Is pine straw good for flower beds?
Conclusion. Pine straw can provide benefits to your flower bed or garden when used as a mulch. It’s not perfect but there are definit e advantages to this approach. If you have access to free pine straw and understand the disadvantages (and potential hazards), then you are heading into your project well-informed.
Does pine straw attract snakes?
Pine straw mulch offers cover for insects and rodents. This attracts snakes in search of a food source. In addition, the pine needles provide cover for the snake as it moves through the flower bed or garden.
Can pine straw be used as mulch?
A common concern with using pine straw as a mulch is fear that it may attract pests. There is some truth to this. Pine straw piles provide cover for small insects and rodents. They can burrow down into a thick layer of pine needles easier than they may be able to with bark mulch or rock.
Do pine needles decompose?
Unless you pile a lot on you may find it very disappointing as a weed deterrent. That being said, pine needles do pack well over time. They settle and will form a dense blanket but in my experience, it takes a couple of years for them to decompose to a point that this occurs.
Is pine straw a good weed barrier?
By its very design, pine straw is a poor solution as a weed barrier. The needles are thin and light. It is difficult to keep weeds from pushing right through it unless you pile it on really thick. Doing that, however, can create welcoming habitats for pests (more on that later).
Does pine straw decompose faster than other mulches?
Pine Straw Lasts Longer Than Other Mulches. Pine straw is known to decompose at a slower rate than many other carbons. The selling point here is that it takes longer to break down than bark mulches and therefore, in theory, should last longer before replacement is needed.
Where does pine straw come from?from medium.com
Short needle pine straw is sometimes called “loblolly” after the loblolly pine tree ( Pinus taeda ), from which it originates. These trees are very common all over the southeastern United States, and also range as far west as Texas and as far north as New England. The needles from a loblolly pine average from four to six inches in length.
What is pine straw and what is it used for?from medium.com
Pine straw is used in landscaping for purposes such as erosion control, weed blocking, water retention, and general appearance.
When is the best time to get pine straw?from medium.com
Pine straw is a crop, and like many other crops, the best time to get it is when it is freshly harvested. The best time to harvest is usually in late fall to early winter, as pine trees tend to drop their needles in abundance when other trees are also dropping their leaves for winter. Newly fallen pine straw lasts the longest, and if it is kept dry and sheltered from the elements, it can be stored for weeks or even months until it is used with little to no effect on its appearance or durability.
How long is a loblolly pine needle?from medium.com
The needles from a loblolly pine average from four to six inches in length. Long needle pine straw typically comes in two sub-varieties, slash and southern long leaf, and are also named for the trees from which they are obtained.
What is 9 inch pine needle mulch?from pinestraw.com
9 Inch Pine Needle Mulch – (Slash Pine Straw, Slash Pine, Pinus Elliottii ) – Bales will have a minimal amount of pine stand de bris (ie twigs, bark, pine cones) This is our most cost effective product with good durability.
How deep should pine straw be spread?from pinestraw.com
Pine straw should be spread 2 – 3 inches deep on the ground surface. You will receive the pine straw from The Pine Straw Store® packed in boxes or on pallets, the pine straw should be taken from the boxes in handfuls and shaken over desired area so that it is distributed in a loose, fluffy manner.
Does Pine Straw have a money back guarantee?from pinestraw.com
We at The Pine Straw Store® are so confident in our products that we offer a 100% money back guarantee. We make it our mission to keep you as a customer by producing the world’s finest Pine Straw Products. We have enjoyed over 14 years of customer satisfaction in the marketplace. If you’re not happy with products ordered from The Pine Straw Store®, we’ll give you your money back
How many square feet does pine straw cover?
The pine straw covers close to 1.5 square feet per pound, while wood mulch covers about 0.5 square feet per pound. That’s one-third the weight per square foot of coverage, or three times the coverage per pound by pine straw!
What to know about pine straw mulch?
6 Things to Know About Pine Straw Mulch. Not every mulch is created the same. Pine straw could be a great choice if you know what to expect. In some areas of the country, the choice between pine needles and wood mulch is a tough one. Since the 1980s pine straw has been the favorite mulch in the South.
How does pine mulch help soil?
5. Pine needles maintain soil moisture well. The same qualities that allow pine straw mulch to protect soil from temperature swings also help to conserve soil moisture. Water perks into and evaporates out of soil through tiny pore-like channels.
How much does a bale of pine straw cover?
Wood mulch is deceivingly heavy, but pine straw can be deceptively lightweight. The best way to compare the two is by taking a look at coverage per pound. A single bale of pine straw, weighing on average 35 pounds, covers about 50 square feet.
What is pine needle mulch?
Like most mulches, pine needles contribute valuable organic matter to the soil, supporting an impressive diversity of native and ornamental landscape plants including trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals. If you’re considering pine straw for your landscape, here are a few things you should know. 1. Pine straw mulch is lighter in weight ...
Why is pine needle mulch good for soil?
But because of its cooling effect, it greatly reduces moisture loss through evaporation. 6.
Does pine straw protect plants?
So, pine straw protects plant roots both in summer and in winter. 5.
What is pine straw?
Pine straw creates an interlocking woven mat of pine needles. When placed on a hill, the interlocking woven mat helps to keep soil from eroding .
When do pine needles start to be used for straw?
In truth, pine needles are the raw version of pine straw. Pine trees don’t start being harvested for pine straw until 6-10 years old . When pine trees turn 15 years old, they begin to yield maximum amounts of pine straw which are then used for mulch, commercial landscaping, gardening and more.
What happens when pine needles interlock?
When pine straw needles interlock, the water that usually hits the soil, hits the pine straw, thus preventing soil compaction. This interlocking, woven web of pine needles allows water to penetrate through the woven system to the soil, moreover keeping moisture in.
What is pine needle mulch?
Pine needles, in fact, are the raw version of pine straw. Funnily enough, the pine needles that you see on the ground in forests are exactly what is used for pine straw mulch! Pine straw is cheaper than regular wood mulch, is light and fluffy, and does not compact.
How to tell if a spruce tree is a pine tree?
If you look at a fir or spruce, compared to a pine tree, you’ll notice that a chunk of pine needles extrudes from the branch on a pine tree. Whereas, in fir and spruce, it’s as if the entire branch has individual spikes coming off of it.
How old do pine trees need to be to harvest pine needles?
Furthermore, pine needle harvesting is typically started when the pine trees are 6-10 years old; however, it isn’t until the trees turn 15 years old that they yield maximum amounts of pine straw.
When do pine needles come out?
Pine needle harvesting does not occur before a tree is eight years of age due to the lesser amount of needles available before the tree reaches this age. Additionally, harvest is done during mid-fall when needles are likely to be driest; trees generally keep their needles for two years before shedding.
What is custom pine straw?
Custom Pine Straw is the producer of quality bales of pine straw sold to landscapers, retailers and homeowners across the U.S. Since 1997.
What is pine straw used for?
Many Uses for Pine Straw. All over the world different species of pine needles are used for art, healing, cleaning and more ... Wholesale Pinestraw Tips. Pine mulch is economical mulch for garden beds or landscapes of all types ...
Do pine straw bales have row numbers?
All pine straw bales are tagged and row-numbered for easy inventory.
What is pine straw?
Pine straw, an organic mulch alternative to wood mulch, is the fallen needles from the base of pine trees that is collected and sold in bales. The acidity in the pine needles depends on the age of the pine needles and amount of leaching.
Why are pine needles bad for plants?
Pine straw is frequently thought to drastically increase soil acidity, making it bad for anything except acid-loving plants. While it's true that plants don't grow well under pine trees, the reasons are not due to soil acidity alone. According to research by the University of New Hampshire Extension, pine needles do not make soils more acidic when used as mulch in gardens. These assumptions stem from the observation that there are usually no plants growing in a pine forest among pine needles left on the forest floor.
Do pine needles need mulch?
Pine needles break down more slowly than other organic mulches, requiring only about 1 inch of replenished material annually.
Is pine straw good for garden?
Garden Benefits of Pine Straw. A major benefit of pine straw, an organic mulch, is the effect of the organic matter as it breaks down in the soil. While pine needles don't add nutrients to soil, they do increase soil porosity so oxygen can better reach the roots. The fluffy material does not become compacted or form a crust on ...
Is pine soil acidic?
It's true that the soil in pine forests is slightly acidic. Consider, however, that this soil is blanketed with heavy applications of pine needles over the span of decades. It takes decades to change soil pH.
Do pine needles have tannins?
When used around flower beds, freshly harvested pine needles contain more tannins than aged pine needles. Expect temporary acidic increase until the tannins have leached out after a few weeks, at which point the acidity levels out to roughly the average acidity of rainwater. It's true that the soil in pine forests is slightly acidic.
Disadvantages of Pine Straw Mulching
Other Considerations
- Does Pine Straw Mulch Attract Pests?
A common concern with using pine straw as a mulch is fear that it may attract pests. There is some truth to this. Pine straw piles provide cover for small insects and rodents. They can burrow down into a thick layer of pine needles easier than they may be able to with bark mulch or rock. - Does Pine Straw Mulch Attract Snakes?
Pine straw mulch offers cover for insects and rodents. This attracts snakes in search of a food source.In addition, the pine needles provide cover for the snake as it moves through the flower bed or garden.
Alternatives to Pine Straw Mulch
- If you are not sure that the pros of pine mulch outweigh the cons for your situation, you do have alternatives. Bark mulch, of course, is very common. It offers a lot of advantages over pine needles. If there is one complaint that I’ve had with bark mulch in the past it has been that it tends to float when we have heavy rainfall. If your garden or flower bed is built with fir mounds this ma…
Conclusion
- Pine straw can provide benefits to your flower bed or garden when used as a mulch. It’s not perfect but there are definite advantages to this approach. If you have access to free pine straw and understand the disadvantages (and potential hazards), then you are heading into your project well-informed. And that’s the most any of us can hope for. The truth is every kind of mulching ma…