One of the best things about owning forest land is the opportunity to manage for multiple objectives and products. For decades, financially motivated forest landowners could sell timber to strong local pulp and sawtimber markets. Recent declines in stumpage prices for both products have reduced profit margins, prompting many forest landowners to consider alternative management strategies.
Growing needles for the pine straw market is one way forest landowners can generate additional income. Pine straw has become a popular mulching material because of its insulating qualities and aesthetics. Pine straw (recently fallen, undecomposed pine needles) has many advantages over other mulches. For example, it does not float or wash away like bark chips while being easier to apply and costing less than stone. In addition, unlike synthetic materials, it adds nutrients and promotes soil tilth in landscaping which stimulates healthy root development of plants. Pine straw can also be used to limit erosion around construction sites or recently burned areas.
While selling pine needles may seem trivial, the value of pine straw has increased tremendously in the last decade (Boatwright & McKissick, 2000–2010). Indeed, pine straw has become a significant forest commodity in several Southeastern states. Although the pine straw market in Mississippi is not as developed as in some states, interest in both raking and selling pine straw has increased over the past decade. Consequently, forest landowners may want to consider pine straw in future management plans.
This publication gives landowners information on how to generate additional income from their timberland while growing sawtimber. It addresses common questions regarding species and site considerations, planting strategies, vegetation management options, nutrient management options, and best management practices for producing pine straw.
Species Considerations
Historically, longleaf (Pinus palustris) and slash pine (P. elliottii) have been the preferred species for pine straw production. Landscapers prefer these species because the longer needles bale better, the reddish-brown color fades more slowly, and the rate of deterioration is slower than loblolly (P. taeda) needles (Figure 1). Thus, pine straw raking tends to be more profitable in southern Mississippi, where longleaf and slash pine grow naturally. Nevertheless, there is a potential market in the northern half of the state where loblolly pine is dominant and needles may be produced and transported at lower costs than alternative mulches. Some experts have noted loblolly to be a better mulch for vegetable crops (Morris et al., 1992). Loblolly straw can also be used for limiting erosion around construction sites. Although forest landowners in northern Mississippi are not able to grow preferred species for straw production, Loblolly straw offers economic opportunities.
Figure 1. Comparison between needles of longleaf pine (top) and loblolly pine (bottom). Photos by John L. Willis, U.S. Forest Service.
Site Considerations
Every pine stand generates straw, but not every stand is feasible to rake. First, the stand should be flat (< 8% slope). Land with above-average erosion or land that is subject to surface compaction should not be considered because pine straw serves to protect the soil. Flat ground also facilitates equipment access. Pine straw harvesting is best performed on productive, clay soils. By contrast, deep, sandy soils need the nutrients bound in fallen pine needles. If pine straw is removed, productivity will decrease. This is particularly important if growing timber is a management objective. Slower growing trees create longer, less profitable sawtimber rotations. Removing straw from sandy sites can also increase pine moisture stress, which can increase the risk of attack from southern pine beetles (Dendroctonus frontalis), deodar weevils (Pissodes nemorensis), or Ips bark beetles (Ips spp.).
Existing understory vegetation is another important factor to consider. The site should be free of established understory vines. Many contractors will not bid on stands where these vines are present in quantity, as baling becomes very inefficient. Stands should also be free of invasive species before raking operations commence. Species that develop rhizomes such as cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) (Figure 2) and Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum) (Figure 3) can be unintentionally baled with pine needles, facilitating their spread. While there are no laws currently regulating invasive species in the pine straw industry, forest landowners should practice good stewardship and forgo raking opportunities until the invasive species have been eradicated from the understory. Further information on commonly encountered invasive species and recommendations for controlling them can be found in MSU Extension Publication 2873 Herbicide Options for Hardwood Management (Self & Ezell, 2020).
Figure 2. Cogongrass invading a pine stand. Photo by Brady Self.
Figure 3. Japanese climbing fern growing within a pine stand. Photo by John L. Willis, U.S. Forest Service.
