Longleaf Pine

[Pinus palustris]

An evergreen conifer that earns its name from having the longest, needlelike leaves – typically up to 18 inches – the Longleaf Pine is the strongest, tallest, and most fire-resistant of the four major species making up the “Southern Pines.”

Historically native from Virginia to Florida and west to east Texas, the Longleaf Pine is also a hard, dense wood, possessing an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. Which, for centuries, made it one of the most sought-after woods in North America — unfortunately, to its detriment.

Originally populating an estimated 90 million acres in the Southeastern United States, the species now covers less than 3% of its original range. It was once so abundant, it seemed an inexhaustible resource to early settlers, who logged the trees for shipbuilding and railroads, while also clearing them to make space for development and agriculture. By the 1920s, most naturally growing Longleaf Pines were gone. And today there’s very limited harvesting of old growth trees — almost all contemporary material is now sourced from managed tree plantations.

Thankfully, restoration of the Longleaf Pine has become a major conservation priority. Not just for their superlative lumber qualities, but because they’re more resilient to the negative impacts of climate change than other Southern Pines, and they capture carbon pollution from the atmosphere.

Predominantly yellowish white in color, the heartwood of Longleaf Pine is reddish brown. Its grain is straight, with fine to medium texture.

A remarkable wood for many practical uses, Longleaf Pine also makes a smart, affordable choice for pleasantly clean wood veneer, architectural plywood, flooring, and cabinetry.