SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pinus palustris

COMMON NAME: long leaf pine

LEAVES: 3 needles/fascicle and very long (12" to 18"). Straight. The bundle-sheath is up to 1" long. Fimbriate ciliate large white terminal bud (white rabbit in its nest). Needles tufted at the ends of branches.

CONES: Up to 1' in length. Reddish brown and very attractive. Not retained on the tree for long periods. Stalked. Do not stick when squeezed. Excellent to collect for Christmas decorations.

BARK: Very flaky platelet on the trunk with an orange tint. Twigs have a rough bark.

OTHER: Grows 80' to 100' tall. Forms a distinct white terminal bud. Tree goes through a stage of no shoot growth (grass stage) when young (first 3 to 5 years). During this stage the roots are growing. After the grass stage the tree grows well. Use container grown material when putting into the landscape (tap rooted). The best pine for lumber because wood lasts a long time. Native to central and south Alabama, but can be a landscape tree all over the state. Lives up to 300 years. Native from north Alabama to south Florida (Miami and Fort Myers). Resistant to fusiform rust.