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General questions about Textraw Synthetic Pine Straw
What is Textraw® and what is
it made of? 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.
Why was Textraw®
developed? 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.
Who makes Textraw®?
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.
Who uses Textraw®?
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
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- Banks
- Gas stations
- Corporate headquarters
- Churches
- Property managers
- Commercial landscapers
- Developers
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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.
Will Textraw® fade?
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.
Isn't natural pine straw
better for my plants and soil?
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.
Will insects be attracted
to Textraw®? 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.
Does Textraw® burn?
Dry pine straw is highly flammable.
While Textraw® is not inflammable, it will melt. It requires
exposure to a sustained flame to burn.
Does Textraw® hold water
as well as pine straw?
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.
Can Textraw® be used
indoors? Textraw® can be
treated with a flame retardant for indoor use. Ask your
representative for details.
Will pesticides affect
Textraw®? Pesticides and
herbicides have no effect on Textraw®.
Is Textraw® safe for the
environment? 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.
Will Textraw® wash away?
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.
Is any maintenance of the
product required? 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.
How should I prepare my
beds? 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.
Will I get weeds with
Textraw®? 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.
How do I spread Textraw®?
Spread Textraw® just like natural
straw, shaking it out loosely.
How much Textraw® will I
need? A Thirty (30) pound roll
of Textraw® will cover 60 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.
How much does it cost?
Results of a 4 year study:
- Textraw® 69 cents per square foot
- Pine Straw $1.19
- Wood Mulch $1.45
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