Most nurseryman find it difficult to grow garden plants under pine tree diagram . Indeed , it is often unacceptable to wield grass under pine tree . This problem has traditionally been blame on acid soil , since gardeners believe that pine tree create acid soil . As a solution , many gardener refuse to use pine needles as mulch or include it in their compost piles . However , the belief is not accurate . Pine needle make an splendid mulch and can be freely used in making compost .

What Is Acid Soil?

sourness or alkalinity of a sum is measured by the pH factor and described by a number on a scale that runs from 1.0 to 14.0 pH , with neutral represented as 7.0 pH. Lower number are more acidulous ; gamy numbers are more alkaline . Most garden soil is electroneutral , an acid - alkaline balance that do a heavy amount of the minerals in the soil uncommitted to plants . Most garden plants brook a range of pH value , though some favour stain that are more acid or alkalic .

Good Soil for Pine Trees

Pine trees thrive in soil that is gently acidic , about 5.5 pH. This oft observed pairing may be part of the intellect that pine trees are said to produce bitter filth . Gardeners often come up it unmanageable to grow other flora under true pine tree , and find fault this on acid stain . However , it is probably because pines , like other tight - growing trees , sop up large total of the nutrients available in soil . The sound shade cast by pine tree also conquer other plant emergence .

Acidity of Pine Needles

Pines , like other conifers , replace their needles annually . Since the shed is gradual , conifers do not have a leafless period , as deciduous trees do . Over age , a layer of pine phonograph needle accumulates under pine trees . These needles are very slightly acidic , about 6.0 to 6.5 pH.

Affect of Pine Needles on Soil pH

Pine needle are so slightly acidic that they do not have soil to become acidic apace . When needle have been present for decades from large numbers of pine trees , as in a mature true pine forest , the soil is likely to become a small more acidic , but the modification is minor even under those condition .

Pine Needles as Mulch

Pine needles , often anticipate pine straw , make an excellent mulch . They break down slowly , so garden bed will not have to be mulched as oft . They are lightweight , making the business easier . They are also a sustainable resource . Most pine straw is collect from the innate shed of pine acerate leaf in gravid pine Plantation , so no trees are destroyed in commercial sale of pine straw .

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