Longleaf Pine: Why Plant It? Why Use Containers?
This article is part of a larger document. View the larger document here.Abstract
Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.), although widely distributed in the presettlement forests of the southern Coastal Plain, now occupies less that 5 percent of its original range. A highly desirable species, it resists fire, insects, and disease, while producing excellent quality solid-wood products. Longleaf forests also represent an important component of the region's cultural heritage, ecological diversity, timber resources; it provides essential habitat for many animal and plant communities. However, regeneration of the species either by natural methods or by planting of bare-root nursery stock has been difficult. The renewed interest in growing longleaf pine has resulted in evaluation of new approaches to seedling establishment. Using container stock and controlling competition have greatly improved the success of longleaf pine establishment.