Pine Straw Management in Florida's Forests Pine Straw Management in Florida's Forests 1 Mary L. Duryea 2 Pine plantations in Florida can be managed for pine straw by raking, baling, and selling freshly fallen pine needles to homeowners or garden centers. Because of these important benefits of pine straw to the forest, we recommend that the raking and baling of pine straw be limited to 5 times during the life of a plantation. The best time during the life of a pine stand to begin raking is around 8 years when pineyield will be between 100 to 150 bales per acre.
Payment is usually on a per acre basis.
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. Useful Definitions for Pine Straw Management. The fresh, undecomposed pine needles that have fallen to the forest floor. All the twigs, leaves, and other organic materials which rest on the soil surface which have not been mixed with the soil.