Do pine needles make good compost? We have a gazillion white pine trees in our yard and my husband always rakes up the dropped needles and burns them in the fall.
I don’t like Pine needles in my compost pile because they break down relatively slowly. The reason for the slow decay is that the needles are covered with a waxy layer that resists bacteria and fungi, and, like other fallen leaves, they have an excess of carbon relative to nitrogen. The process could be speeded up by shredding the needles, thereby offering bacteria and fungi greater surface area at which to “chew” away.
I don't know about the composting of pine needles, but I understand they make a great mulch.