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. 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.
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.