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The Ecosystem

HomeWhat is Longleaf?The Ecosystem

The Longleaf Ecosystem

Mature, well-managed longleaf stands share several fundamental characteristics:

  • Stands dominated by a single species of tree - the longleaf pine
  • Conspicuous lack of midstory trees and shrubs, presenting a scenic vista through the forest
  • Well-developed, diverse ground layer, dominated by bunchgrasses and other flowering plants
  • Presence of numerous wildlife species that are dependent upon an open pine forest
  • Frequent fires for maintaining an open, park-like setting
  • Found across a variety of habitat types

Because longleaf pine is longer lived than other southern pines and can sustain growth at older ages (150 years or more), it has the ability to store carbon for long periods.

Explore to find out more about this fascinating ecosystem across the Southeast:

Built by Fire  |  Habitats  |  Species Diversity

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

Unlike some other southern yellow pine species, lo Unlike some other southern yellow pine species, longleaf pine cone production is variable with infrequent good crops. The process is influenced by many environmental factors over the course of the cones' two-year development, with large differences observed from year to year and also from place to place.Having an idea of upcoming cone crops helps longleaf growers plan for nursery seedling production and informs land managers' upcoming activities to promote natural regeneration, like prescribed burning or selective harvesting. Luckily the United States Forest Service and collaborators monitor longleaf pine cone production at 11 locations throughout the Southeast each year. For 2022, the regional longleaf cone crop, based on green cone counts this past spring, is FAIR with an average of 41 cones per tree. That might not sound super promising, but it's the highest estimate since 2017!Check out the full report (including instructions on estimating cones on your own property) at longleafalliance.org > news (link in bio)📷 @jessicawilliamsphotography
Did you know many incentives are available to enco Did you know many incentives are available to encourage private landowners to plant, grow and manage healthy woodlands particularly longleaf pines? Programs may provide financial assistance for a portion of the expenses of management practices such as planting, thinning, and prescribed burning. 🌲🔥Join The Longleaf Alliance for a one-hour virtual webinar on July 12th to find out about current incentive programs for longleaf specific to your management objectives and location!Thank you to our speakers Ryan Phillips (@gatrees), Daniel Westcot (USDA-NRCS), Jason Alstad (@gaconservancy), and Susan French (TLA)! This FREE virtual event is hosted by the Okefenokee-Osceola Local Implementation Team with sponsorship by The Nature Conservancy. REGISTER NOW > longleafalliance.org > upcoming events (link in bio)
Today for National #WildlandFirefighterDay, we wan Today for National #WildlandFirefighterDay, we want to thank the thousands of local, state, federal, or contract workers who fulfill a role in wildland fire and their friends and families who make it possible for these folks to work long hours, far from home.Because of the job description “firefighter” one might assume these folks are dedicated to wildfire suppression only, but in fact, wildland fire encompasses both #PRESCRIBEDfire and wildfire. #WildlandFire is an overarching term for any non-structure fire that occurs in natural fuels so fire practitioners in the field have duties relating to prescribed burning, wildfire response, AND fire preparedness. The terminology, communication, and command structure is the same whether actively starting or suppressing fire in natural landscapes.In the Southeast, our fire practitioners are integral to keeping our forests and natural communities healthy.📷 TLA’s amazing staff in the Gulf Coastal Plain Ecosystem Partnership whose hard work supports implementation of prescribed fire and habitat restoration. In the last fiscal year (2020-21), the EST, WEST, and AMBBIS teams burned over 90,000 acres with #GCPEP partners. #ThankAFirefighter #longleaf #longleafpine #longleafpines #goodfire #rxfire #restorelongleaf
July 1st should be in your longleaf management cal July 1st should be in your longleaf management calendar. Why? Because TODAY is the day that several state-operated nurseries begin accepting seedling orders. Longleaf seedlings are in high-demand and many growers sell out quickly. Ordering early, even if you are waiting to hear back about a cost-share application, is your best chance to guarantee seedlings.Check out these state forestry nurseries which are accepting orders as of today:👉 Georgia Forestry Commission - Flint River Nursery - BAREROOT longleaf seedlings > https://gatrees.org/forest-management-conservation/tree-seedlings👉 North Carolina Forest Service - Claridge Nursery - CONTAINER longleaf seedlings > http://www.buynctrees.com/Find a list of our partnering nurseries at longleafalliance.org/what-we-do/restoration-through-partnerships/nurseries/📷 Longleaf pine germinants in container trays for nursery production. Photo courtesy of PRT in Atmore, Alabama. #longleaf  #longleafpine #longleafpines
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