Introduction
to
Longleaf Pine
ncforestservice.gov
Longleaf pine is now considered a species in decline across much of the South, including North Carolina. The reasons behind this decline are complicated and involve many factors,
including:
 Conversion of longleaf pine forests to
non-forest uses (cleared for agriculture or
development).
 Exclusion of frequent, low-intensity fires from the forest landscape.
 Inherent challenges in regenerating longleaf pine, either by natural methods or by
out-planting.
 Replacement of longleaf pine with other pine species in plantations.
In North Carolina, longleaf pine is primarily
located among the drier soils in the Sandhills region, as well as select areas across the central and southern Coastal Plain. A few isolated
remnant pockets of longleaf pine can still be found in the eastern Piedmont.
Central Office (Raleigh) (919) 857-4801
The North Carolina Forest Service is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. Its programs, activities and employment practices are available to all people regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, handicap or political affiliation.
North Carolina
Forest Service
For more information regarding longleaf pine, please visit the website of the North Carolina Longleaf Coalition: nclongleaf.org.
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History
Current Status
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) historically was the ‘king’ of the southeastern coastal plain forest, covering an estimated 90 million acres of land. The illustration, at right, shows the native range of longleaf pine. Longleaf pine’s abundant supply of pine sap (resin) led to the economic development of the southern forests for the production of “naval stores.” The raw pine resin was
collected from the trees, distilled and then processed into glue, turpentine, rosins and other by-products that were necessary for the shipbuilding industry in the 19th and early 20th-century. The advent of petroleum-based distillates in the mid-1900’s, along with the damaging effects of the pine sap collection process and the transition away from water transportation all put an end to the naval stores industry.
Containerized longleaf pine seedlings are available to purchase from the N.C. Forest Service’s Claridge Nursery, as well as from commercial nurseries. Cost share
assistance may also be available. For more assistance in determining if longleaf pine is suitable to grow on your forestland, speak with a registered forester or contact your county forest ranger office. More
information is also available on the website ncforestservice.gov.
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