Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine)

Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) is a large, slow-growing, and long-lived evergreen tree species native to the southeastern United States. It is an iconic tree of the southern pine forests and has great ecological and historical significance. Longleaf Pine is a tall tree that can reach heights of 80 to 100 feet (24 to 30 meters) or more, with some exceptional individuals surpassing 150 feet (46 meters). It has a straight trunk with a relatively narrow crown. The bark is thick, reddish-brown, and deeply furrowed. The needles of Longleaf Pine are long, slender, and flexible, measuring around 8 to 18 inches (20 to 46 centimeters) in length. They are arranged in bundles of three and have a dark green color. The tree produces large, oval-shaped cones that can reach lengths of 6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters). The cones have a light brown color and contain winged seeds. Longleaf Pine is well adapted to the fire-prone ecosystems of the Southeast. It has a unique growth habit where it form