Longleaf Pine
Other Common Names: Southern pine, Georgia pine, Longleaf yellow pine, Longstraw pine, Southern yellow pine Scientific Name: Pinus palustris Native to Alabama: Yes |
Longleaf Pine Stand |
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Other Plants Found in Alabama with Similar Ecological Benefits: | |||||
Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) |
Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) |
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Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana) |
Slash pine (Pinus elliottii) |
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Sand pine (Pinus clausa) |
Pond pine (Pinus serotina) |
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Maintenance Notes | ||
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Habitat Requirements | |||
This plant prefers: | |||
Full Sun
(6+ hours of sun per day) |
Average Watering |
Well-drained, Sandy, Loamy, Clay, or Acidic Soil |
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The longleaf pine habitat is a very special one, in that it used to be the main habitat type in the southeastern United States. Now it is only found in small patches of that original range. Around two-thirds of the historic range has been lost due to timber harvesting, urban development, and agriculture. | |||
Longleaf pines can occur in a variety of habitat types including mountains, rolling hills, sandhills, and flatwoods. They prefer sandy, dry, acidic soils in low elevation areas. They require full sunlight to grow and fire to maintain an open understory.
The need for fire is an very important and special characteristic of longleaf habitat. Fire is important to longleaf habitats because it: |
Longleaf Pine Forest Range – Historic and Current |
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During the 1900's, forest fires were considered harmful and were prevented whenever possible. This caused a dramatic decrease in longleaf habitats, and led to a decrease in many of the plants and animals that depend on the longleaf pine tree habitat as well. Because it is such a special and diverse habitat, there are efforts being made to restore the longleaf habitats in the historic range.
One important tool being used is prescribed burning, which is the controlled use of fire by a team of experts under specific weather conditions in order to restore forest health. To learn more about how prescribed fire is being used in Alabama's forests, visit our Ecosystem Investigation: Alabama Forests webpage. |
Leaf, Flower & Seed Identification | ||||
LEAF DESCRIPTION |
Longleaf Pine Leaves
Wikimedia – Rasbak Click on image to enlarge it |
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Leaf Characteristics Chart (PDF) | ||||
Shape: Needle |
Margin: Entire/Smooth |
Arrangement: Complex |
Form: Simple |
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Description: | ||||
Long needle-like dark green leaves range from 8-18 inches in length; They form in fascicles (bunches) of three |
FLOWER (CONE) DESCRIPTION |
Male cones Female cone |
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Flower Shapes Chart (JPG) | |||||||
Color: Male structures are yellowish-red or blue/purple Female structures are brown |
Shape: cylindrical cluster (catkin) |
Bloom Months: March – April |
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Description: | |||||||
Male and female conelike reproductive structures can be found on each tree. Male reproductive structures are yellowish red or purple blue (spongy in appearance and occur in clusters) and produce pollen Female reproductive structures are woody in appearance and grow near branch tips |
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SEED DESCRIPTION |
Longleaf Pine Seeds |
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Type: Cone |
Description: Cones are over 5-12 inches in length and over 3 inches in width. Cones dry out, turn brown, and drop seeds. |
Months in Seed: Fall |
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Plant spreads by: | |||
In the fall, cones dry out and release seeds that are dispersed by the wind. The seeds must come in contact with the soil in order to germinate. Historically, natural fires would keep the ground clear from leaf litter, allowing the seeds to easily germinate. Fire prevention tends to allow leaf litter to accumulate on the ground, so when the longleaf seeds are dropped, they do not come in contact with the soil and will not germinate. | |||
BARK DESCRIPTION |
Longleaf Pine Bark
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center – Albert F.W. Vick Click on image to enlarge it |
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Color: Orangish brown, reddish brown |
Texture: Flaky plates; peeling/shredding |
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Description: | ||
As the tree matures, the bark thickens and forms a flaky plate-like structure; the thick bark insulates the inside of the trunk, protecting it from fire | ||
Plant Life Cycle | |
Longleaf pine life cycle adaptations for fire:
The longleaf pine tree depends on fire for reproduction. They have special adaptations throughout their life cycle that allow them to thrive when fire is present.
Longleaf Pine Life Cycle
The Longleaf Alliance Click on image to enlarge it
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Seedling Stage |
Grass Stage |
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Bottlebrush Stage |
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Sapling Stage |
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Mature Longleaf Pines |
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Quick Fact Sheet (Condensed Species Info) |
QR Code (Links to this Webpage) |
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Plant ID Sign (Text Only): Ready as-is PDF |
Plant ID Sign (Text Only): Editable Word Doc |
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Plant ID Sign (With Picture): Ready as-is PDF |
Plant ID Sign (With Picture): Editable Word Doc |
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