Pine needles vs pine straw

[ron20m]

I've been raking up pine needles from my yard but my friend ordered some pine straw and said it was softer. Any reason NOT to use pine needles I rake up?

[Emil Pampell-Tx]

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...kinda confusing???

[ron20m]

Thanks Emil

[MingjoMartins]

Ron - Just watch where you purchase the "pine straw" from. I just threw a box away that I ordered on the internet (not PMCA). I use white pine and love it and I thought it would be the same. It was far from the same, it was long 6-7 hard needles that literally hurt to work with. I had to use gloves and pruning shears to work with it, and although the birds didn't seem to mind - I much preferred the soft white pine needles.

JohnM

[jr 2]

I just purchase wheat straw at the local store;;the martins seem too realy like it;i throw it on ground unde houses and they fly down and get it too finish their nest;can't find pine straw local and not very many pine trees close by;;;where I use too work beforei retired 3 yrs. ago there was all kind of pine tree and I would box it but it was the hard needles;;good luck everyone this year;;jr2

[Joe Creason KY]

jr2. Be careful when putting something on the ground for the martins to fly down and pick up. They are very vulnerable on the ground an an easier prey for faster flying birds. I put up a large wire type basket on another pole that I put nesting material in. However, I use mostly pine straw or needles.

[Bulldog1]

I try to buy pine straw in bales in the fall, keep it in the garage over winter, and use it the next year. My thought is that there will be no red bugs after storing, if that makes any sense.

[jr 2]

joe or anyone;;;would like too know more info on your wire basket that you have for nest material;;is it like a screen wire or rabbit wire;;what size;;where too get;;would like too have 1 that I can attach too my martin house pole ;;you are welcome too private message me;;;jr2