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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.

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  • 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

Have you registered for TLA’s Spring Online Auct Have you registered for TLA’s Spring Online Auction beginning this Friday?Here’s a sneak peek of some of the items you can bid on: + 5 Nights at Marriott’s Crystal Shores Marco Island+ Longleaf artisan goods+ Recreational items for guaranteed summer fun+ Award-winning longleaf blendsRegister for FREE at betterunite.com (link in bio). Text notifications when you are outbid make it easy to follow along from anywhere all weekend long!The online auction is an important TLA fundraiser because it allows us to target strategic priorities and focus on Growing Awareness, Understanding Longleaf, Improving Forest Health, Conserving Diverse Habitats, and Expanding Ecosystems through strong community and partner ties.
Join The Longleaf Alliance in making EVERY day an Join The Longleaf Alliance in making EVERY day an Earth Day!Save-the-date for our Spring Online Auction on May 23rd-25th. With your help, TLA aspires to collect 50+ auction items to support on-the-ground longleaf restoration and conservation efforts!Please mark your calendars and help us by sharing and/or donating. If you have something to contribute, please email lynnsey@longleafalliance.org.
7 days left to register for the Groundcover 201 Lo 7 days left to register for the Groundcover 201 Longleaf Academy! Don’t miss the chance to learn how to get native plants in your longleaf from nursery and restoration experts. Registration link in bio…
Day of the Mushroom 🍄 can be a tasty "holiday" Day of the Mushroom 🍄 can be a tasty "holiday" with a find like these! Chanterelles can be found year-round, but are most prolific during the warmer, wetter months that are just around the corner. Two species commonly found in the longleaf landscape are the golden and cinnabar chanterelle. Learn more and find some tasty recipes in this special preview of The Longleaf Leader (link in bio). Our spring magazine issue debuted "Longleaf Ecosystem Eats" - a new recurring segment featuring edible mushroom and plants!P.S. Always forage responsibly and always ensure a positive identification.

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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