Hoop Pine Mulch What Is It and What Is It Used For

A longstanding landscaper’s favourite, hoop pine mulch has a multitude of horticultural benefits—most notably, it can withstand wind and steeply sloped gradients. This deep reddish-brown mulch also boasts an appealing earthy aesthetic, making it a top option to complement all sorts of landscaping projects. 

In this post, we’ll explain precisely what hoop pine mulch is, outline its key landscaping benefits, and answer some of the most commonly asked questions.

Hoop Pine Mulch: What Is It and How Is It Made? 

True to its name, hoop pine mulch comes from the hoop pine tree. Technically known as Araucaria cunninghamii, the species grows in the dry rainforests of Queensland and New South Wales. Hoop pine trees can live for up to 450 years, and the largest specimens stand some 60 metres tall. 

Like other mulches, the product is made by grinding up timber in an industrial-sized mulching machine. The timber is sourced from naturally fallen branches and storm-damaged trees, as well as large hoop pine plantations. 

Hoop pine trees are commonly found in many protected places, such as Lamington National Park. However, sourcing timber from these environmentally-sensitive areas is strictly prohibited. 

Benefits of Hoop Pine Mulch

Hoop pine mulch offers a wide range of benefits for commercial and residential landscaping use. 

Locked in Place

The primary benefit of hoop pine mulch is its naturally clingy consistency. While other mulches blow away in the wind or slip downhill on a slope, hoop pine remains firmly lodged in place. This adhesive nature is due to its curly texture, which lets the strands interlock and stay stable in challenging conditions.

Attractive Appearance

Most hoop pine mulch comes in a deep brown colour, a nice earthy hue that complements a wide range of landscaping projects. Some varieties feature a slight tinge of pink for a lighter look, while others come in a deep burgundy-red hue. 

Impressive Longevity

Hoop pine mulch won’t degrade, blow away, or fade any time soon. You can expect this sought-after mulch type to last three or four years. This impressive longevity reduces the hassle and cost of re-applying a new layer of mulch. 

Moisture Retention

Hoop pine mulch has a rough, chunky texture with minimal finely-grinded chips. This course consistency is a boon for plant growth, as it enables water to penetrate rapidly into the soil and saturate the root zone.   

Weed Prevention

Like many organic mulches, hoop pine does a fantastic job of inhibiting weed growth. Its thick, tightly interlocked consistency prevents weed seeds from filtering down into the soil below. Meanwhile, hoop pine mulch also blocks out sunlight to eliminate an essential energy source for existing weeds.  

How to Apply Hoop Pine Mulch

Hoop pine mulch is easy to apply. As with other mulches, there’s no need to remove the existing layer before applying a new coating. The previous mulch will break down and add nutrients to the soil. 

Spread an even layer of hoop pine over your existing mulch (or directly over the soil) at a depth of 10-15 cm. That amount is thick enough to prevent seeds from filtering through yet sufficiently thin for optimal water retention. 

The Best Places to Use Hoop Pine Mulch

Due to its sturdy nature, hoop pine is the best mulch for sloped areas. From raised garden beds to steep embankments and the edges of an elevated pool, this firmly-fixed mulching solution won’t slide downhill. Even torrential rain has a hard time washing hoop pine mulch away. 

Wind-prone areas are another example where hoop pine mulch will shine. While other more finely-grinded mulches get lifted and blown away in the wind, hoop pine’s clingy structure helps it remain firmly in place. 

While hoop pine mulch offers the greatest benefits in sloped or wind-prone places, there’s no harm in using it in other areas. However, there are cheaper mulch types available on the market, so hoop pine isn’t the most cost-effective option for flat or sheltered areas. For this reason, many landscapers save their hoop pine mulch supplies for sloped or wind-prone sites.

The Best Applications for Hoop Pine Mulch

With an attractive, earthy colour and a coarse consistency, hoop pine mulch won’t compromise your landscaping aesthetics. That makes it ideal for a whole host of commercial and residential applications. 

Hoop pine mulch is a popular solution for domestic gardens, office buildings, convention centres, and luxurious modern estates, among other property types. The Brisbane City Council uses hoop pine mulch in numerous public places, as do other councils around Australia and abroad. 

Hoop Pine Mulch FAQs:

We’ve put together a hoop pine mulch FAQ so you can find fast answers to specific questions. 

Is Hoop Pine Mulch Good For Feeding Your Garden Soil?

As hoop pine mulch breaks down over time, it feeds organic matter into the soil. This natural, nutrient-rich material helps the plants in your garden thrive. As a bonus, its powerful, moisture-retentive properties let water seep rapidly through the mulch and into the soil underneath.

Is Hoop Pine Mulch Good For Preventing Weeds?

Hoop pine mulch is an attractive solution for weed-prone areas of your garden. Thanks to its coarse consistency, hoop pine creates a potent barrier to prevent weed seeds from reaching the soil. It also blocks out sunlight, causing existing weeds to die off. 

Is Hoop Pine Mulch Great For Slopes?

Hoop pine is the best mulch for a slope or gradient. Due to its clingy, interlocking nature, the mulch won’t slide downhill over time, even when it rains. 

How Long Will Hoop Pine Mulch Last?

Various environmental factors affect how long your hoop pine mulch will last. However, as a rule of thumb, expect to add another layer every three to four years. 

How Much Hoop Pine Mulch Do I Need?

At a depth of 15cm, you’ll need 0.15 cubic metres of mulch per square metre. An online volume calculator can help you ascertain how much hoop pine mulch you should buy.

Purchase Hoop Pine Mulch from Wellers Hill

Keen to get a hold of some hoop pine mulch for your next landscaping project?

Get in touch with the team at Wellers Hill Hardware & Landscape Suppliers today. We stock high-quality hoop pine mulch at competitive prices. And with a handy drive-through collection or delivery service, you can quickly stock up on all the mulch you need. 

Conveniently located in Tarragindi, we’re the go-to option for landscapers in South Brisbane and beyond.