Longleaf Pine - (pkg of 50)
- Item #: 03-0050
Longleaf is perhaps the most distinctive of the southern yellow pines. Its long, clear bole, open crown, long needles clustered at the ends of the branchlets, and large silvery buds identify longleaf from a distance. It is a medium to large tree, 80-120 feet in height and 24-30 inches in diameter. It grows best on deep, well-drained, acid, sandy soils, although it can tolerate a variety of sites. Longleaf pine is very intolerant of shade. Its first few years are characterized by little or no above ground growth. A dense tuft of needles is all that appears above the soil surface. This "grass stage" continues until the root system is sufficiently established to support rapid above ground growth. Trees in the grass stage are surprisingly resistant to fire damage, as are the thick-barked mature trees. Longleaf produces valuable lumber and is one of the two species with major roles in the naval stores industry.
