Pine needles are my favorite, but then I'll grab anything around the hives, leaves, sticks grass...Easy way to light anything when no pine needles are around, a little bit of wax in a leaf, wrap, squeeze, light and drop..Done!
If I have a lot of work or am going to spend a lot of time, I take the time to gather a hand full of stick to make some coals in the bottom of the smoker, then, pine needles or leaves.
Totally out of dried up Republicans over here... I wonder if tea bags would work?
BTW, where do you store your smoker?
I picked up an ammunition box from the army & navy store, it holds the smoker, hive tool, extra fuel, lighter & matches.
The best thing is that when I am done with one yard, I can just stuff the billowing smoker right in there, clamp the lid on and throw it in the car without smells, smoke or risk of fire. It keeps everything dry and organized and safe.