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October 23, 2024
Longleaf Pine
Longleaf pine forests at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
Does anyone know the state tree of North Carolina? It is the Pine Tree. No single species of pine is designated as the official tree of North Carolina. There are eight native pine species to North Carolina (eastern white, loblolly, longleaf, pitch, pond, shortleaf, table mountain, and Virginia), but many people believe that the longleaf pine is the official tree. It is because of the State Toast, which begins with "Here's to the land of the longleaf pine".
The longleaf pine is native to the southeastern United States and prefers sandy, dry, and acidic soils. It was once a dominant species in the southeastern U.S. forests. Due to overharvesting from the late 1800s to the beginning of 1900s, less than 5% of longleaf pine forests are currently remaining. The fast growing pines such as loblolly pines were planted instead of replacing the longleaf pines for the short-term economic benefits.
Restoration of longleaf pine forests is important because it provides habitats to many species, including the endangered and threatened species such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, eastern indigo snakes, and flatwoods salamander. Also, longleaf pines are more resilient to climate change, as they can withstand wildfires, draughts, severe windstorms, and pests.
Longleaf pines have the longest needles of all southern pines. They are 8 to 17 inches long and are in fascicles of 3.
Red-cockaded woodpecker
https://alabamabirdingtrails.com/sites/red-cockaded-woodpecker-colony/
Frosted flatwood salamander
https://usfws.medium.com/survival-of-the-frosties-62821b8f1e0
Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve is located in Moore County, right outside of Southern Pines, NC. It was established in 1963 with an original gift from Katharine Boyd of 403 acres after the death of her son Daniel. Her wish was to preserve the woods as they were when her son planed in them as a child (https://weymouthcenter.org/the-history-of-weymouth/). At the Nature Preserve, visitors can experience the longleaf pine forests and observe sandhill pyxie-moss. You can also find the oldest known living longleaf pine tree there!
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