Pine Straw Raking and Growth of Southern Pine: Review and Recommendations

David Dickens,David Clabo,Lee Ogden,Lawrence Morris

doi:10.3390/f11080799

Abstract

Pine straw, the uppermost forest floor layer of undecayed, reddish-brown pine needles, is raked, baled, and sold as a landscaping mulch throughout the southeastern United States. Loblolly (Pinus taeda, L.), longleaf (P. palustris, Mill.), and slash (P. elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) pine are the three southern pine species commonly raked for pine straw. The value of pine straw as a forest product is large. Private landowner pine straw revenues have steadily increased throughout the southeastern United States over the past two decades and now total more than USD 200 million. Information is limited on the short- or long-term effects of pine straw removal on foliage production or stand growth in southern pine stands. Results from most published studies suggest that annual pine straw raking without fertilization on non-old-field sites reduces straw yields compared to no raking. Old-field sites often do not benefit from fertilization with increased pine straw or wood volume yields. Though fertilization may be beneficial for pine straw production on some sites, understory vegetation presence and disease prevalence may increase following fertilization. This review addresses pine straw removal effects on pine straw production and stand growth parameters based on recent studies and provides fertilization recommendations to maintain or improve pine straw production and stand growth and yield.

Highlights

Pine straw, the uppermost forest floor layer of recently fallen undecayed reddish-brown pine needles, is raked, baled, and sold as a landscaping mulch throughout the United States
Pine (Pinus taeda, L.), longleaf pine (P. palustris, Mill.), and slash pine (P. elliottii Engelm. var. elliottii) are the three southern pine species commonly raked for pine straw with the order of preference being longleaf, slash, loblolly straw [1]
We review eleven studies on the effects of pine straw raking on soil moisture, pine stand growth, and straw production and provide fertilization recommendations for raked stands to maintain or enhance pine straw production and tree growth

Summary

Introduction

The uppermost forest floor layer of recently fallen undecayed reddish-brown pine needles, is raked, baled, and sold as a landscaping mulch throughout the United States. Pine (Pinus taeda, L.), longleaf pine (P. palustris, Mill.), and slash pine Elliottii) are the three southern pine species commonly raked for pine straw with the order of preference being longleaf, slash, loblolly straw [1]. Better color retention, and slower rate of deterioration are factors for this order of preference. Pines shed most needles during the fall, but spring and summer droughts can cause needles to start shedding in late spring through the summer months [2,3]. The value of pine straw as a forest product is large.

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Discussion

Conclusion