Longleaf Pine: State Tree of Alabama

The state tree of Alabama is the Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). It is also known as the southern yellow pine. This tree was once a dominate feature in the Southern United States forest areas. Heavy timber cutting reduced its presence. There are active efforts to repopulate areas with the native pine tree.

One of the more beautiful and ornate pine trees, the Longleaf pine can grow to a height of 125 feet. The usual growth for this tree is 60-80 feet high and 30-40 feet wide. The needles are a bright green and can be 14 inches long. The needles are soft and flexible and appear to drape from the branches in clusters.

The Longleaf pine prefers full sun but does well in light shade. It can tolerate a variety of soil conditions including clay; loam; and sand. It does well in slightly alkaline and acidic soil that is well-drained. This pine is both drought and salt tolerant meaning it can grow either near salt water or in dry conditions.

The size of the Longleaf pine usually relegates it to park like settings where is has room to grow and be admired. It should not be placed near overhead telephone or electrical wires because top pruning would destroy the tree's shape and appeal.

The silhouette is basically oval, but the density of the branches and needles is open, given an overall irregularly shaped appearance. As the tree matures, the draping effect extends to the trunk and branches. If this tree is planted near a walkway or street, it may require pruning. The asymmetrical shape of this tree would be compromised if regular pruning were undertaken.

No one mistakes the Longleaf pine for a Christmas tree. The tree is a worthwhile candidate for a specimen planting. The new growth forms as buds and is white throughout the winter months. This pine is hardy in Zones 7 through 10A, so only the warmer climates are suitable environments.

The Longleaf pine does produce a flower in the spring, but it is too small to be significant. The pine cones that follow can be up to a foot in length. They can stay on the tree for up to 2 years. The tree can be messy. Twigs, cones, needles typically litter the ground around the base of the tree.

The Longleaf pine is not particularly susceptible to diseases. It does attract pests like sawflies, pine-shoot moth, and pine weevils. Sawflies are wasp like insects that colonize and feed in groups. They can quickly defoliate portions of the tree. There are several species of pine shoot moth including Red, European, and Eastern. The newly hatched larvae of the pine shoot moth eat the tree buds which can cause contorted growth. The pine weevil is a common pest that affects the Eastern White Pine, Jack Pine, and Norway Spruce. Newly hatched larvae tunnel into the bark where their feeding kills the new growth. As the larvae mature, the tunneling destroys more of the internal structure of the branches and trunk.

Sources
Pinus palustris, University of Florida Environmental Horticulture, http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/PINPALA.pdf
Florida Forest Trees, University of Florida, http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/longleaf_pine/longpine.htm
Sawflies, University of Minnesota Extension, http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/horticulture/DG6703.html
The Longleaf Alliance, Auburn University, http://www.auburn.edu/academic/forestry_wildlife/longleafalliance/ecosystem/ecosystem.htm
Insects, Oregon State University Horticulture Department, http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nurspest/EPSM.htm
White Pine Weevil Fact Sheet, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, http://woodypests.cas.psu.edu/FactSheets/InsectFactSheets/html/White_Pine_Weevil.html