Southern Pine Overstories Influence Herbage Quality

Abstract

A cover of young longleaf or slash pines increased protein and phosphorus and decreased nitrogen-free extract in herbage on pine-bluestem range. Under protection from grazing, the proportion of big bluestem in the herbage stand increased more on forested than cutover land. Herbage decreased about 15 lb/acre for every 1 ft2 increase in pine basal area.