Question
Should the pine needles that have shed from pine trees in the Fall be removed from under the trees?  I live in central Illinois and have a grouping of 5 large pine (soft needle) trees at the very back of my property.  I do not care if the needles are left or removed but want to do what is best for the trees.  I have been told a number of different do's and don't's on what to do with the needles.  It was recently suggested that I simply remove a one foot diameter circle from around the base of the tree but leave the remaining needles.  What is best for the trees to keep them healthy?

Answer
It really does not matter as far as the health of the tree goes. The needles will shade out the grasses under the trees. You can leave it as is and it is not needed to rake away from the tree trunk. This is important if you are mulching around a new tree with 3-4 inches deep of mulch but the needles from the trees will not be this deep and can add nutrients to the soil. I would leave them as is if it does not interfere with the lawn grass. Or you could rake the needles and use them in your flowwer beds as mulch.