HIGHLIGHTS
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Pine plantations in Florida can be managed for pine straw by raking, baling,
and selling freshly fallen pine needles to homeowners or garden centers.
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The greatest needle fall is during the autumn months (September through
November) and, hence, the best time to rake needles is during winter.
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A blanket of pine needles on the forest floor serves many important purposes
for the forest; some of these include: recycling nutrients to be used for
tree growth, providing food and habitat for animals, and protecting the
soil from erosion.
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Because of these important benefits of pine straw to the forest, we recommend
that the raking and baling of pine straw be limited to two to four times
during the life of a plantation.
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The best time during the life of a pine stand to begin raking is around
8 years when pine-straw yield will be between 100 to 150 bales per acre.
The maximum yield is at age 15 (200 to 300 bales per acre).
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In the most commonly employed method for pine-straw management, the landowner
sells to a pine-straw company which will rake, bale, and market the pine
straw. Payment is usually on a per acre basis.
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The management steps for a pine-straw operation include developing a management
plan, controlling weeds, raking and baling pine straw, and selling the
pine straw. Fertilizing the pine stand may increase tree growth and pine-straw
production.
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