My Tree is Better Than Your Tree! The Long Leaf Pine

Why would you cut down one kind of tree to make room for another kind to grow? Isn't one tree as good as the next.

I'm sure there is a simple answer to this but, I don't understand why you'd cut down one kind of tree so another kind can grow. I read a story about re-populating the Long Leaf Pine from Texas to Carolina.

The answer is, not every tree is made equal. East Texas Rancher has adopted the long leaf pine efforts for the benefit of the natural habitat in Texas. Simon Winston, rancher, says this:

“What I like about them is that when they are young you can burn in them,” Winston said. “Loblolly you can’t burn in them until they are bigger.” 

Prescribed burns are a conservation practice used on longleaf pine forests. Fire reduces moisture and nutrient competition. The elimination of brush and other woody species also allows for native grasses and foraging plants to thrive. In turn, wildlife are drawn to the understory of longleaf pine forests.

“We’re getting wild plums and seeing more deer. There’s something for them to eat and for the birds to nest in,” Winston said. “Burning helps establish bluestem grasses which are good nesting habitat for turkeys and quail.”

Long Leaf Pine Forest

The Long Leaf Pine is more resistant to fire. (That's one reason) Apparently populating with this pine ensures survival of vegetation despite the occurrence of natural fires. Other hardwood trees burn quickly and take years to grow back.

These evergreen do take decades to develop which is why these forests are depleted. 200 Years ago to the present they were desirable to loggers. Developing a forest that can endure natural disasters will also provide enduring home and safety for wildlife. That's kind of the bottom line. We all know what happens when there is a shift in wildlife populations... you end up with more flies.