Will pine needles kill sumac?

Question

My girlfriend saw pine needles being used as mulch in Florida last winter around native plants and wants it around her sumac bushes. I notice hardly anything grows under a pine tree because the needles are so acidic. I'm allergic to sumac, so piled the needles on high around them- she's happy and I might be happy if they die.

Answer 1

I agree with the others... you're going to be disappointed.

The canopy of evergreen trees shades out the area beneath them and deflects water away from those areas... sort of a shady desert beneath them. This way they minimize competition.

Most plants prefer an acidic soil, so to that end, the sumac will definitely benefit. In addition as the needles decompose, they will add organic material to the soil, enriching it further.

It is a good mulch, because it doesn't require the cutting down of trees to create the mulch... sorta renewable and in a way recycling as well. Kudos on using an environmentally friendly mulch.

Sorry to disappoint...
Good luck-

Answer 2

I sincerely doubt it. I live here in No. Michigan and both pine needles and sumac aplenty. Sumac is not particular about soil. It will grow in either acid or alkaline soil. Right here along the side of my road are sumacs aplenty right next to pine trees and full of pine needles for mulch.

Answer 3

You will be disappointed and your girlfriend will be happy.

Things don't grow under pine trees due to the shade and shallow roots of the trees, not the needles. Sumacs will enjoy the mulch.

Answer 4

Pine needles can no longer kill weeds or grass, yet they seem to be a high quality mulch that enables carry the weeds down. I commonly positioned down as much as 4" of it so it does a passable pastime. It decomposes and provides slightly of mandatory acid on your soil.

Answer 5

Looks like your going to be disappointed