Three varieties of pine needles are farmed, and the fallen debris of a longleaf pine tree is the most sought. Its unusual length and high resin content make it an attractive, water-retaining ground cover. Very little maintenance is required to keep an attractive bed.
An actual bale of pine needles will cover approximately 25-30 sq. ft. at about 4-6" inches. If you need to restore your pine needle bed, a good estimate is a quarter of the bed's original amount for the seasonal installation.