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Restoration & Management

HomeWhat is Longleaf?Restoration & ManagementLongleaf Regeneration

Longleaf Regeneration

With so few acres of longleaf remaining, planting to establish new stands and promoting regeneration in existing stands are both key components to ensure the future of longleaf pine.

Whether a natural recruit or a planted seedling, young longleaf pines in the “grass stage” grow best in full sunlight – in open areas or gaps in the forest. Controlling competition during this phase is critical for survival and for height initiation.

Natural Regeneration

Forest stands with existing mature longleaf in the canopy may offer the option of regenerating longleaf naturally if there is an adequate seed source and that seed source is well distributed. Natural regeneration can be a component of an even-aged management system (evenly spaced seed trees are left during a harvest and later removed after seedling recruitment) or uneven aged management system (modified shelterwood or group selection creates multiple age classes within a stand).

Prescribed fire and thinning are used to prepare the seedbed and open the canopy for new longleaf recruits. Timing with cone production is critical as not all years are good years for cone production in longleaf pine.

Artificial Regeneration

Longleaf pine planting may occur on recent harvested sites called cutovers, on former agricultural and old field sites, and even in existing forest stands for slow conversion to longleaf (underplanting) or to supplement natural recruitment. The specific steps you need to successfully establish longleaf will differ depending on your starting point – see our “Keys for Establishment” for a helpful overview.

Seedlings

Longleaf pine seedlings grown in nurseries are usually available in two forms: bareroot seedlings and container seedlings. Today most longleaf is planted as container seedlings, but bareroot seedlings are still available and preferred by some. The biggest differences between the two types are cost and survivability; bareroot seedlings are cheaper but usually have lower survival rates compared to container seedlings. Visit Nurseries for a list of our partners offering longleaf seedlings.

Ask about your seedling seed source! Planting trees from seed collected from local sources is ideal. Follow seed zone guidelines if using trees from a non-local seed source.

Once your seedlings arrive, assure proper seedling care and storage prior to getting the trees in the ground. Visually check the seedlings for quality when unboxing and planting. Find out how in this VIDEO.

Planting

Seedling planting depth greatly influences survival and growth. Adequate soil moisture is also required, which normally translates to planting in the winter months. Hire an experienced tree planter with a track record of successful longleaf plantings.

Keep an eye on planting depth! While bareroot seedlings should be planted so the terminal bud is at or slightly below the soil surface, plant container longleaf seedlings so the bud is slightly above ground level (up to 1.5 inches).

BROWSE THIS SECTION

  • The Tree
    • Life Stages
    • The Economics
    • The History
    • The Misconceptions
  • The Ecosystem
    • Built by Fire
    • Habitats
    • Species Diversity
  • Restoration & Management
    • Groundcover Restoration
    • Herbicides
    • Longleaf Regeneration
    • Prescribed Fire
  • Photo Gallery

From our feed

Since its inception in 1995, The Longleaf Alliance Since its inception in 1995, The Longleaf Alliance has used science-based outreach, partnership engagement, and on-the-ground assistance to support longleaf restoration, stewardship, and conservation across the Southeast.For #NationalNonprofitDay, we want to say thank you to all our supporters and partners (many of which are also non-profits). Without you we could not do all that we do! Help us celebrate the day by sharing a non-profit that means something special to you. Tag us in the post so we can like/share/follow their work too 😊
Come visit The Longleaf Alliance's table at the Fo Come visit The Longleaf Alliance's table at the Forestry & Wildlife Expo in Buena Vista, Georgia this Saturday, August 12th.Admission is FREE!
Cogongrass is a BIG problem in the Southeast - inc Cogongrass is a BIG problem in the Southeast - including longleaf pine habitats. It is a tricky species to eradicate, but there are options. Some more effective than others.What doesn't work? Mowing, burning, and grazing. Here is why – 75% of cogongrass is underground in its rhizomes and roots. Removing only the top 25% of this species simply encourages it to regrow and spread. Its high silica content means it not only makes lousy forage, but it also increases its probability of igniting. Cogongrass fires are intense, with typical flame lengths doubling the height of the grass.So what does work?Effective chemical control of cogongrass can be achieved with glyphosate, a foliar active herbicide. Even though this is not a selective herbicide, applying glyphosate only to the cogongrass leaves will target this invasive without harming your mid to upper-story species. Other treatment options include imazapyr, tilling, and combining strategies like mowing and fire with herbicide treatments.Summertime (May to October depending by one’s location) is the best time to treat cogongrass. Be prepared to re-treat, as cogongrass does not give up easily and can take up to five re-treatments for confirmed eradication. For more information, check out our Longleaf Leader article (link in bio).
Georgia landowners - Please spread the word about Georgia landowners - Please spread the word about this free workshop (and meal) in Emanuel County on August 1st. RSVPs are needed by tomorrow - Friday, July 28th - so reserve your spot today! Details at longleafalliance.org > events (link in bio).
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Conservation partners

PCA

PCA

RMS

RMS

Whitfield

Whitfield

Bartlett

Bartlett

Enviva

Enviva

Norfolk Southern

Norfolk Southern

advantage

advantage

Blanton

Blanton

Drax

Drax

Fram

Fram

IFCO

IFCO

Kronospan

Kronospan

Manulife

Manulife

McLeod Rhodes

McLeod Rhodes

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