Actually Dr. Maynard's (note spelling) study was done with the effect of leaf mold fine sandy loam. Per her report, she "used unscreened leaf compost was applied at the rate of 50 T/A (one inch on the surface), 25 T/A and 10 T/A. Compost was rototilled into the soil to a depth of six inches. Compost was produced in a passive pile turned four or five times yearly for two years. In all three years of compost applications, virtually no difference was found in soil nutrients between the compost treatments and the control. However, differences were found in organic matter percentage and pH between the treatments in all three years." The issue under discussion here is the use of uncomposted pine needles - or "fresh" pine needles. My point above was that while composted pine needles will be essentially have a neutral pH, the application of UN-composted pine needles will TEMPORARILY alter the pH of the soil or compost to which they are applied. It will be, for however much time it takes for the pine needles to decompose (which varies according to climate), have an easily tested, acidic pH. The same is true of leaf mold. One can easily test this for themselves using a pH meter and many have done so, myself included. Pine needles have a pH of 5.8-6.2 - clearly acidic. So while the change won't be profound, it will be on the acidic side of the scale. Dave

too much work to keep flipping.. repeatedly to your blog ... why not post the pix here .... one of them.. looks very similar to my p. nigra 'oregon green' ... of which nigra is 2 needle ... but there is no scale to compare needle length ... do you have any cones under them... resin can ID on cone alone ... one of them.. even slightly reminded me of a flexilis .... but those are 5 needle, i think ... ken

Those are fine pictures Laura, and I live in Southern Illinois. The bumper crop of squirrles here, though cute, have dug up my bulbs, the expensive tuberous begonias and even chewed up my lawn furniture cushions at my lake house. They used to stymie me from feeding the woodland birds before I discovered the solution: "Squirrel Season". I invited all my hunting friends to show up and fill their freezers, and so they did. Problem gone. As a boy I used to love squirrel hunting with my Dad, but now I seem to have no stomach for the hunting sport. I'm sort of liking that foil on my head idea, but since I tried it, the aluminum reacted to the steal plate in my head and the people who take care of me had to take my foil and my crayons away. At least the birds like me and my bulbs are safe. 'Tis a mystery, but I agree with others that you have a squirrelly problem. jim

no ,oooooo .... i quite clearly said any number of shocks .. as in transport.. micro climate and LARGE transplant shocks ... including its first winter after planting shock ... which would include winter winds on a plant with truncated roots.. as well as winter sun.. warming the needles only to be cast back into severe winter cold at dusk ... unspoken , of course .... and i further noted.. w/o a pic. ... i couldnt go further ... THEN!!!! .. mentioned the problems with mine.... which as i know recall.. this plant was to turn the xmas tree industry on its head.. until carp happened ...... of crikey OP ...john.... enjoy the heck out of it .... forget the rambles of one old man.. and one not as old ... [dont try to figure that out. . lol] ken