Pine Straw - Ask Extension
Hello,We purchased a little farm in Pulaski, Virginia. We have a large area dense with white pine trees. The floor under these trees is thick with ...
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Pine Straw #305526
Asked March 08, 2016, 11:26 AM EST
Hello,
We purchased a little farm in Pulaski, Virginia. We have a large area dense with white pine trees. The floor under these trees is thick with pine needles. There is absolutely not much of any vegetation growing under these pine trees - as the trees are thick at the top and the needles are deep at the bases of the trees. Is this area worth considering some type of pine straw baling? Is there a market for this in the area in which I live?
Pulaski County Virginia
Expert Response
Not all pines are created equally when it comes to pine straw. First of all the market recognizes longleaf pine as the preferred pine straw. The next preferred pines are loblolly and slash pines. These preferences are not just based on good marketing. There are a couple of reasons why white pine, red pine and jack pine are not widely used for pine straw.
The primary pine needle characteristic that makes good pine straw is needle length. Longer needles hold together better in a mulch bed. Longer needles are also easier to rake up cleanly. Thick needles is another preferred characteristic. Thicker needles endure the raking, baling, and distributing processes better. Fewer broken needles make for a better mulch.
This is not to say that pine straw made from white pine cannot be sold. However, you live in an area where loblolly, slash and even longleaf pine straws are available, even if it is shipped into your area. Consequently, I have doubts as to the profitability of making and selling white pine straw in Virginia.
A quick search online will confirm that nearly all discussions of pine straw are related to the three southern pines mentioned here. Of course, you can always contact your local extension forester for more specific and local information.
The primary pine needle characteristic that makes good pine straw is needle length. Longer needles hold together better in a mulch bed. Longer needles are also easier to rake up cleanly. Thick needles is another preferred characteristic. Thicker needles endure the raking, baling, and distributing processes better. Fewer broken needles make for a better mulch.
This is not to say that pine straw made from white pine cannot be sold. However, you live in an area where loblolly, slash and even longleaf pine straws are available, even if it is shipped into your area. Consequently, I have doubts as to the profitability of making and selling white pine straw in Virginia.
A quick search online will confirm that nearly all discussions of pine straw are related to the three southern pines mentioned here. Of course, you can always contact your local extension forester for more specific and local information.
