Skip to content
logo
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Donate
search
newsearch
  • Close
  • Home
  • Events
  • News
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Who We Are
    • About The Alliance
      • Staff
      • Board of Directors
  • What is Longleaf?
    • The Tree
      • Life Stages
      • The History
      • The Economics
      • The Misconceptions
    • The Ecosystem
      • Built by Fire
      • Habitats
      • Species Diversity
    • Restoration & Management
      • Groundcover Restoration
      • Herbicides
      • Longleaf Regeneration
      • Prescribed Fire
    • Photo Gallery
  • What We Do
    • Restoration Through Partnerships
      • America’s Longleaf
      • LEO
      • Corporate Sustainability Programs
      • Nurseries
    • Longleaf Assistance
    • Conserving Diverse Forests
      • Rare Species
      • Forests & Water
      • Georgia Sentinel Landscape Prescribed Fire
    • Education & Outreach
      • Longleaf Academy Program
      • Biennial Longleaf Conference
      • Burner Bob®
      • Next Generation
      • The Longleaf Leader
      • The Longleaf Library
      • The Owen Fellowship
  • What You Can Do
    • Support The Alliance
    • Conservation Partners
    • Get Involved
    • Merchandise
    • Subscribe

The Tree

HomeWhat is Longleaf?The TreeThe History

The History

The average American's view of the natural communities of the Southeastern U.S. is that it is comprised mainly of swamps, alligators, and big, old moss-hung cypress trees. On the contrary to this view, when early explorers visited the southeastern region they saw "a vast forest of the most stately pine trees that can be imagined, planted by nature at a moderate distance...enameled with a variety of flowering shrubs." Fire defined where the longleaf pine forest was found and fostered an ecosystem diverse in plants and animals.

Longleaf pine's domain was vast. By all accounts, the longleaf pine forest dominated the southern landscape. Starting in southeast Virginia, the longleaf pine forest stretched southward through nine states eventually stopping in east Texas (over 140,000 square miles).

For countless generations, cultures were both transformed by and helped to transform the longleaf piney woods. However, starting about 150 years ago, over-exploitation of the longleaf pine forest accelerated tremendously and the face of the southern landscape changed radically.

Chemical stimulation to gum yield - chipper and acid application at Olustee, Florida. October, 1942. Photo by C. S. Shopmeyer, U.S. Forest Service.
Chemical stimulation to gum yield - chipper and acid application at Olustee, Florida. October, 1942. Photo by C. S. Shopmeyer, U.S. Forest Service.
Distilleries produced refined turpentine and rosin from crude pine resin. Florida. Photo by Panshin, et al. U.S. Forest Service.
Distilleries produced refined turpentine and rosin from crude pine resin. Florida. Photo by Panshin, et al. U.S. Forest Service.
Naval stores orchard using the cup and gutter technique to collect resin—a less intrusive method compared to the early practice of "boxing." Photo by Panshin, et al. U.S. Forest Service.
Naval stores orchard using the cup and gutter technique to collect resin—a less intrusive method compared to the early practice of "boxing." Photo by Panshin, et al. U.S. Forest Service.
Turpentine tools: 1. Broad axe; 2. Gutter chisel or Pringle axe; 3. Maul; 4. Hogal; 5. Hack; 6. Puller; 7. Push down scraper; 8. Pull down scraper; 9. Apron and gutter puller; 10. Dip iron. Photo by U.S. Forest Service.
Turpentine tools: 1. Broad axe; 2. Gutter chisel or Pringle axe; 3. Maul; 4. Hogal; 5. Hack; 6. Puller; 7. Push down scraper; 8. Pull down scraper; 9. Apron and gutter puller; 10. Dip iron. Photo by U.S. Forest Service.

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).
Load More

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

  • Home
  • Who We Are
  • What is Longleaf?
  • What We Do
  • What You Can Do
  • The Longleaf Library
  • Photo Gallery
  • Merchandise
  • Events
  • News
  • Donate
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
footer-logo

12130 Dixon Center Road
Andalusia, Alabama 36420
Phone: 334.427.1029







©2021 The Longleaf Alliance
site by HLJ Creative