Nutrient losses from a single removal of pine straw are small and not likely to affect stand productivity. Research indicates, however, that frequent raking can result in significant nutrient losses. Nutrient-deficient stands produce less wood and foliage, and, consequently, less pine straw, than stands with adequate nutrition. Studies show that harvesting pine straw reduces wood production by an average of 50 cubic feet (1.42m³ ) per acre if nutrients in the straw are not offset by fertilization. Commercial fertilizer applications …