Misplaced Pages

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45-613: North Carolina was originally a naval stores colony—that is, the blanket of longleaf pines that covered the coastal plain was used by the British Navy for ships' masts and the pine pitch was used to manufacture tar caulking for vessels. The river derives its name from its historic use as a major route for tar-laden barges as they headed to the sea. The city of Tarboro is on the banks of the river. Recent research conducted by East Carolina University , Greenville and Pitt County historians has uncovered documentation noting that before

90-409: A gap or no tree canopy is above it. In the grass stage, it is very resistant to low intensity fires because the terminal bud is protected from lethal heating by the tightly packed needles. While relatively immune to fire at this stage, the plant is quite appealing to feral pigs ; the early settlers' habit of releasing swine into the woodlands to feed may have been partly responsible for the decline of

135-449: A century ago, and these usually are dug up and sold as fatwood , "fat lighter", or "lighter wood", which is in demand as kindling for fireplaces, wood stoves, and barbecue pits. In old-growth pine, the heartwood of the bole is often saturated in the same way. When boards are cut from the fat lighter wood, they are very heavy and will not rot, but buildings constructed of them are quite flammable and make extremely hot fires. The seeds of

180-494: A cove near Rockingham, North Carolina, have needles up to 24 inches (61 centimeters ) in length. It is one of the two Southeastern U.S. pines with long needles, the other being slash pine . The cones , both female seed cones (ovulate strobili) and male pollen cones (staminate strobili ), are initiated during the growing season before buds emerge. Pollen cones begin forming in their buds in July, while seed conelets are formed during

225-404: A midstory canopy ) leads to open longleaf pine forests or savannas . New seedlings do not appear at all tree-like and resemble a dark-green fountain of needles. This form is called the grass stage. During this stage, which lasts for 5–12 years, vertical growth is very slow, and the tree may take a number of years simply to grow ankle high. After that, it has a growth spurt, especially if it is in

270-702: A number of conifer species that tend to grow in similar plant communities and yield similar strong wood. In the Western United States, yellow pine refers to Jeffrey pine or ponderosa pine . In the Southeastern United States, yellow pine refers to longleaf pine , shortleaf pine , slash pine , or loblolly pine . In the United Kingdom, yellow pine refers to eastern white pine or Scots pine . In New Zealand, it refers to Halocarpus biformis . The Jeffrey pine and

315-475: A number of species termed yellow pine . It reaches a height of 30–35 m (98–115 ft) and a diameter of 0.7 m (28 in). In the past, before extensive logging, they reportedly grew to 47 m (154 ft) with a diameter of 1.2 m (47 in). The tree is a cultural symbol of the Southern United States , being the official state tree of Alabama . This particular species

360-574: A plan to reintroduce longleaf pines to the Dendron Swamp Natural Area Preserve , with seedlings propagated from cones collected at South Quay Sandhills Natural Area Preserve . Vast forests of longleaf pine once were present along the southeastern Atlantic coast and Gulf Coast of North America , as part of the eastern savannas . These forests were the source of naval stores – resin , turpentine , and timber  – needed by merchants and

405-526: A relatively short period of time in August. Pollination occurs early the following spring, with the male cones 3–8 cm ( 1 + 1 ⁄ 4 – 3 + 1 ⁄ 4  in) long. The female (seed) cones mature in about 20 months from pollination; when mature, they are yellow-brown in color, 15–25 cm (6– 9 + 3 ⁄ 4  in) long, and 5–7 cm (2– 2 + 3 ⁄ 4  in) broad, opening to 12 cm ( 4 + 3 ⁄ 4  in), and have

450-651: A relief measure under the Resettlement Administration . These landowners were resettled on more fertile land elsewhere. Today, the South Carolina Sand Hills State Forest comprises about half of the acreage, and half is owned by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as the adjacent Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge . At first, restoration of forest cover was the goal. Fire suppression

495-438: A small, but sharp, downward-pointing spine on the middle of each scale. The seeds are 7–9 millimetres ( 1 ⁄ 4 – 3 ⁄ 8  in) long, with a 25–40 mm (1– 1 + 5 ⁄ 8  in) wing. Longleaf pine takes 100 to 150 years to become full size and may live to be 500 years old. When young, they grow a long taproot , which usually is 2–3 metres ( 6 + 1 ⁄ 2 –10 feet) long; by maturity, they have

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540-418: A wide spreading lateral root system with several deep 'sinker' roots. They grow on well-drained, usually sandy soil , characteristically in pure stands. Longleaf pine also is known as being one of several species grouped as a southern yellow pine or longleaf yellow pine, and in the past as pitch pine (a name dropped as it caused confusion with pitch pine, Pinus rigida ). The species epithet palustris

585-611: Is Latin for "of the marsh" and indicates its common habitat. The scientific name meaning "of marshes" is a misunderstanding on the part of Philip Miller , who described the species, after seeing longleaf pine forests with temporary winter flooding. Longleaf pine is highly pyrophytic (resistant to wildfire ) and dependent on fire. Their thick bark and growth habits help to provide a tolerance to fire. Periodic natural wildfire and anthropogenic fires select for this species by removing competition and exposing bare soil for successful germination of seeds. The lack of medium-tall trees (called

630-435: Is by their cones. Each has barbs at the end of the scales. The sharp Jeffrey pine cone scale barbs point inward, so the cone feels smooth to the palm of one's hand when rubbed down the cone. Ponderosa pine cone scale barbs point outward, so feel sharp and prickly to the palm of one's hands. Another distinguishing characteristic is that the needles of Jeffrey pine are glaucous, less bright green than those of ponderosa pine, and by

675-478: Is home to some of the best-preserved stands of longleaf pines. These forests have been burned regularly for many decades to encourage bobwhite quail habitat in private hunting plantations. Before European settlement, longleaf pine forest dominated as much as 90,000,000 acres (360,000 km ) stretching from Virginia south to Florida and west to East Texas. Its range was defined by the frequent widespread fires that were lit by humans and occurred naturally throughout

720-434: Is now endangered as a result of this decline. Longleaf pine seeds are large and nutritious, forming a significant food source for birds (notably the brown-headed nuthatch ) and other wildlife . Nine salamander species and 26 frog species are characteristic of pine savannas, along with 56 species of reptiles , 13 of which could be considered specialists on this habitat. The Red Hills Region of Florida and Georgia

765-441: Is one of the eight pine tree species that falls under the "Pine" designation as the state tree of North Carolina . The bark is thick, reddish-brown, and scaly. The leaves are dark green and needle-like, and occur in bundles of mainly three, sometimes two or four, especially in seedlings. They often are twisted and 20–45 centimetres ( 7 + 3 ⁄ 4 – 17 + 3 ⁄ 4 inches) in length. A local race of P. palustris in

810-413: The Southern United States , yellow pines can refer to one of the native species: loblolly , longleaf , shortleaf , or slash pines. These yellow pines grow very well in the acidic red clay soil found in most of the region. The wood from the southern yellow pines typically has a density value between 50 and 55 lb/cu ft (0.80 and 0.88 g/cm ) when pressure treated. Yellow pine grows across

855-638: The east side of the Sierra Nevada . "Eastside pine forest" refers to areas of Lassen National Forest , Plumas National Forest , and Tahoe National Forest , all on the east of the Sierra Nevada crest, where ponderosa and Jeffrey pine codominate. Ponderosa pine forests occurs on the Colorado Plateau and in the Sierra Nevada of the Western United States, as well as other parts of North America. One way to distinguish between them

900-409: The navy for their ships . They have been cutover since for timber and usually replaced with faster-growing loblolly pine and slash pine , for agriculture , and for urban and suburban development. Due to this deforestation and overharvesting, only about 3% of the original longleaf pine forest remains, and little new is planted. Longleaf pine is available, however, at many nurseries within its range;

945-402: The sandhills region of South Carolina, between the piedmont and coastal plain. The region is characterized by deep, infertile sands deposited by a prehistoric sea, with generally arid conditions. By the 1930s, most of the native longleaf had been logged, and the land was heavily eroded. Between 1935 and 1939, the federal government purchased large portions of this area from local landowners as

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990-490: The 20th century by a private landowner (a property now owned and conserved by the LandTrust for Central North Carolina). The United States Forest Service is conducting prescribed burning programs in the 258,864-acre Francis Marion National Forest , located outside of Charleston, South Carolina . They are hoping to increase the longleaf pine forest type to 44,700 acres (181 km ) by 2017 and 53,500 acres (217 km ) in

1035-633: The Civil War, the North Carolina Legislature had appropriated funds to construct dams and locks on the Tar River in an attempt to facilitate almost year-round navigation for the farm products and naval stores shipping plus passenger boats which were travelling between Tarboro, Greenville, and Washington. Among the towns and cities along its course are Louisburg , Rocky Mount , Tarboro , and Greenville . The village of Old Sparta

1080-606: The South and Mid-Atlantic regions, from Texas to New Jersey . Dimensional lumber and plywood products manufactured from southern yellow pine are used extensively in home construction in the United States. They are also used for wooden roller coasters and are most used for utility poles throughout the United States. Halocarpus biformis , a species of podocarp , is known as yellow pine in New Zealand . It

1125-428: The South; by the 1920s, most of the "limitless" virgin longleaf pine forests were gone. In " pine barrens " most of the day. Low, level, sandy tracts; the pines wide apart; the sunny spaces between full of beautiful abounding grasses, liatris , long, wand-like solidago , saw palmettos , etc., covering the ground in garden style. Here I sauntered in delightful freedom, meeting none of the cat-clawed vines, or shrubs, of

1170-604: The alluvial bottoms. Efforts are being made to restore longleaf pine ecosystems within its natural range. Some groups such as the Longleaf Alliance are actively promoting research, education, and management of the longleaf pine. The USDA offers cost-sharing and technical assistance to private landowners for longleaf restoration through the NRCS Longleaf Pine Initiative. Similar programs are available through most state forestry agencies in

1215-568: The course of the Tar-Pamlico Water Trail . Longleaf pine The longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) is a pine species native to the Southeastern United States , found along the coastal plain from East Texas to southern Virginia , extending into northern and central Florida . In this area it is also known as "yellow pine" or "long leaf yellow pine", although it is properly just one out of

1260-465: The dominant tree (Jeffrey pine forest). Ponderosa pine-dominated forests ("Ponderosa pine forest") occur at elevations from about 300 to 2,100 m (980 to 6,890 ft). Jeffrey pine-dominated forests occur mostly in California , from 1,500 to 2,400 m (4,900 to 7,900 ft) in the north, and 1,700 to 2,800 m (5,600 to 9,200 ft) in the south. The highest elevations are typically on

1305-409: The long term. In addition to longleaf restoration, prescribed burning will enhance the endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers' preferred habitat of open, park-like stands, provide habitat for wildlife dependent on grass-shrub habitat, which is very limited, and reduce the risk of damaging wildfires. Since the 1960s, longleaf restoration has been ongoing on almost 95,000 acres of state and federal land in

1350-537: The longleaf pine are edible raw or roasted. The longleaf pine is the official state tree of Alabama. It is referenced by name in the first line of the official North Carolina State Toast . Also, the state's highest honor is named the " Order of the Long Leaf Pine ". The state tree of North Carolina is officially designated as simply "pine", under which this and seven other species fall. Yellow pine In ecology and forestry, yellow pine refers to

1395-785: The longleaf's native range. In August 2009, the Alabama Forestry Commission received $ 1.757 million in stimulus money to restore longleaf pines in state forests. Four large core areas within the range of the species provide the opportunity to protect the biological diversity of the coastal plain and to restore wilderness areas east of the Mississippi River. Each of these four ( Eglin Air Force Base : 187,000+ ha; Apalachicola National Forest : 228,000+ ha; Okefenokee - Osceola : 289,000+ ha; De Soto National Forest : 200,000+ ha) have nearby lands that offer

Tar River - Misplaced Pages Continue

1440-549: The matter?" The reply from the disgusted Yankee soldier was, "We have heard of Tar River all our lives but never believed that there really was any such place, but damned if we haven’t found it, the whole bed of it is tar!" The river was strongly affected by Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and caused much flooding in the area. The Tar River suffered the worst flooding from the hurricane, exceeding 500-year flood levels along its lower stretches; it crested 24 feet (7.3 m) above flood stage. In Greenville it crested at 29.74 ft. (9.1 m) The river

1485-522: The ponderosa pine are common in drier montane areas of the Sierra Nevada . They are often confused by casual observers. Across the remainder of the American West, Jeffrey pine is absent, with ponderosa pine being the sole yellow pine. Jeffrey pine is more stress tolerant than ponderosa pine in the Sierra Nevada. At higher elevations, on poorer (including ultramafic ) soils, in colder climates, and in drier climates, Jeffrey pine replaces ponderosa as

1530-575: The potential to expand the total protected territory for each area to well beyond 500,000 ha. These areas would provide the opportunity not only to restore forest stands, but also to restore populations of native plants and animals threatened by landscape fragmentation. Notable eccentric populations exist within the Uwharrie National Forest in the central Piedmont region of North Carolina. These have survived owing to relative inaccessibility, and in one instance, intentional protection in

1575-598: The preserve, primarily from timber companies. One of its main goals is the restoration of longleaf pine forest, to which end he has had 8 million longleaf pine seedlings planted on the land. A 2009 study by the National Wildlife Federation says that longleaf pine forests will be particularly well adapted to environmental changes caused by climate disruption . In 2023, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation announced

1620-521: The remaining trees and seedlings. The exposed earth left behind by clear-cutting operations was highly susceptible to erosion, and nutrients were washed from the already porous soils. This further destroyed the natural seeding process. At the peak of the timber cutting in the 1890s and first decade of the new century, the longleaf pine forests of the Sandhills were providing millions of board feet of timber each year. The timber cutters gradually moved across

1665-656: The small farms along the river, to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Union soldiers. At Taft’s store they found over 1,000 barrels of turpentine and tar . The amount was too large to burn, as it would take several houses with it. So the barrels were rolled into the river, where the hoops were cut in two and the contents dumped into the river. Three months later, in June, four hundred Union prisoners of war were sent from Salisbury, NC to Washington, NC , to be exchanged for Confederate prisoners. Before coming into Washington,

1710-426: The soldiers asked permission to bathe in the river and clean themselves up. Guards were posted along the river banks, and the prisoners were allowed to strip then wade into the river to wash. Instead, they stirred up the river bottom so much that the tar smeared their bodies completely, each man coming out of the water with a stick to scour the tar off their bodies and legs. One Confederate yelled out, "Hello boys, what’s

1755-416: The southeast. In the late 19th century, these virgin timber stands were "among the most sought-after timber trees in the country." This rich ecosystem now has been relegated to less than 5% of its presettlement range due to fire suppression and clear-cutting practices: As they stripped the woods of their trees, loggers left mounds of flammable debris that frequently fueled catastrophic fires, destroying both

1800-754: The southernmost known point of sale is in Lake Worth Beach, Florida . The yellow, resinous wood is used for lumber and pulp . Boards cut years ago from virgin timber were very wide, up to 1 m (3.3 ft), and a thriving salvage business obtains these boards from demolition projects to be reused as flooring in upscale homes. The extremely long needles are popular for use in the ancient craft of coiled basket making. Annual sales of pine straw for use as mulch were estimated at $ 200M in 2021. The stumps and taproots of old trees become saturated with resin and will not rot. Farmers sometimes find old buried stumps in fields, even in some that were cleared

1845-434: The species. Longleaf pine forests are rich in biodiversity . They are well-documented for their high levels of plant diversity, in groups including sedges, grasses, carnivorous plants, and orchids. These forests also provide habitat for gopher tortoises , which as keystone species, dig burrows that provide habitat for hundreds of other species of animals. The red-cockaded woodpecker is dependent on mature pine forests and

Tar River - Misplaced Pages Continue

1890-430: The stouter, heavier cones with larger seeds and inward-pointing barbs. Jeffrey pine wood and ponderosa pine wood are sold together as yellow pine. Both kinds of wood are hard (with a Janka hardness of 550 lbf (2,400 N)), but the western yellow pine wood is less dense than southern yellow pine wood (28 lb/cu ft (0.45 g/cm ) versus 35 lb/cu ft (0.56 g/cm ) for shortleaf pine). In

1935-563: Was again affected by Hurricane Matthew in 2016. It crested as much as 24.5 feet (7.5 m) above flood stage in some areas for up to 3 days. An endangered species, the Tar River Spinymussel, is found in limited areas of the Tar and Neuse River basins. Sound Rivers , an environmental organization dedicated to the protection of the Tar and Neuse watersheds, maintains fifteen camping platforms and campsites for recreation along

1980-601: Was formerly an important riverport on the Tar, but declined in the 20th century. One account of the significance of the river's name comes from the Civil War. It may have been inspired by an incident back in North Carolina. As the Confederates prepared to evacuate Washington, NC, in March 1862, they sent squads up and down the Tar River to destroy all the stocks of cotton and naval stores which had been prepared by

2025-545: Was practiced until the 1960s, when prescribed fire was introduced on both the state forest and the Sandhills NWR as part of the restoration of the longleaf/wiregrass ecosystem. Nokuse Plantation is a 53,000-acre private nature preserve located around 100 miles east of Pensacola, Florida . The preserve was established by M.C. Davis, a wealthy philanthropist who made his fortune buying and selling land and mineral rights, and who has spent $ 90 million purchasing land for

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