Pine Straw Production

This publication discusses the raking, baling and sale of slash and longleaf pine straw in Florida. The best time to start raking is when the pine stand is eight years old, and winter is the best season to do the raking. Since pine straw is beneficial to the forest, it is best to only rake two to four times during the rotation. The straw can be sold to customers, a retailer, or to a pine straw company. This publication also covers how much straw will be produced per acre from trees of different ages. It provides management techniques that include creating a plan, controlling weeds, raking and baling, and fertilizing. It names programs that assist landowners in pine straw enterprises.

An example of a contract for the collection of pine straw.

This publication covers the growing of longleaf pines, how to rake and bale the straw, the size and weight of the bales, how much straw is produced typically per year, management techniques that help produce the ideal bale of straw, and the selling of pine straw.

This article discusses when and how to harvest so that the forest is not harmed and economical aspects of pine straw harvesting.

This publication provides facts about pine straw including a list of management tips for pine straw baling and a list of things to avoid.

Illustration of construction of a pine straw baler.