Pine straw is a plentiful resource in northeast Mississippi and is a favorite material for landscapers and gardeners. Annually, millions of dollars are spent outside the state on pine straw.

Thousands of acres of Mississippi pine are about 15 years old and have the potential to produce high-quality pine straw. This, in turn, can provide the state with an economically sound industry and increase the employment base.

The North Central Mississippi R C & D, funded by a grant from the U S Forest Service conducted a market analysis of pine straw mulch based on a questionnaire distributed to potential pine straw users within a 100 mile radius of New Albany, Mississippi. The objective of the market analysis was to provide market information and potential for northeast Mississippi. The objective of the questionnaire was to determine information about pine straw mulch such as the price, mode of promotion and distribution, most popular product, and current demand and growth potential.

The market analysis determined that the market for pine straw mulch can provide a means of harvesting pine straw which reduces fire hazard and improves the environment, aids the economy and produces jobs.

Pine straw has been a popular landscape ground cover throughout the South for the last 25 years. In fact, it is one of the most widely used mulches for all size projects ranging from residential flower beds to industrial complexes and highway landscapes. Landscapers, building contractors, and homeowners have discovered that pine straw has superior properties over other mulches. Unlike other dry organic mulches such as pine bark, leaves, grass clippings, and peat moss, pine straw helps provide favorable growing conditions and stimulates healthy plant development because it:

  • Insulates tender roots from temperature extremes keeping the soil warm during cold spells and cool during warm spells
  • Conserves soil moisture by reducing water evaporation rates and moisture loss
  • Encourages water infiltration into the soil and reduces runoff
  • Eliminates erosion caused by wind and rain-splash impact
  • Protects against soil compaction by reducing the rain impact directly on the surface, and Aids in promoting favorable soil tilth for healthy root growth.

    • Pine straw may also hinder the establishment of weeds and soil-borne diseases. Since pine needles interlock even on landscapes with considerable slope, pine straw will not wash out of beds like some other mulches. Pine straw also remains loose and friable and does not form a top crust like grass clippings, leaves, and some wood mulches. Loose mulch allows water to infiltrate readily into the soil for plant availability and avoids wasteful irrigation runoff. The large air pockets, however, help prevent it from remaining excessively wet and damaging roots. Lastly, the fine texture and uniform color of pine straw is simply more aesthetically pleasing to some users. The attractive, earthy facade brings out the color, contrast and texture of landscapes.


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