CONSERVATION CORNER
Consider Longleaf Pine In Storm Ravaged Areas
by James L. Cummins

The forests of South Mississippi were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. However, more often than not, longleaf pine held up better than most other species. Live oak and cypress trees are the exception.

According to Jim Elledge, a forester in South Mississippi, "If longleaf pine still covered its historical range in South Mississippi, private landowners would be dealing with an inconvenience rather than a disaster due to Hurricane Katrina."

Overall, longleaf pine is more resistant to hurricane related damage (i.e., flood, salt, breakage, uprooting and insects/disease) than other species of pine. Although large longleaf pines were blown down, most of them were uprooted and only a small percentage suffered breakage. This allowed for the salvage of poles and sawtimber. Loblolly and slash pine sustained a much higher percentage of breakage resulting in a much higher percentage of the salvage being used for short saw logs and pulp wood. However, regardless of the species, pines that were thinned within the past 3 years suffered at least some losses from Hurricane Katrina.

Properly established and managed longleaf pine can have economic advantages over other southern pine species. Currently, low pulpwood prices are a disincentive for many landowners to invest in the timber market. Prices of solid wood products have also been on the decline. However, most analysts feel that the sawtimber market has more potential for recovery than does the pulpwood market. Fortunately, the pole market has remained strong and poles continue to bring a premium price.

In order to compare the economics of longleaf and loblolly pines, researchers compared two pine plantations. The longleaf plantation was managed for 66 years and two successive 33 year old loblolly plantations. The longleaf stand was managed for pine straw, pulpwood, poles and sawtimber while the two loblolly rotations were managed primarily for pulpwood with a final sawtimber harvest. Longleaf produced as much financial return as the loblolly, generated more frequent payments and had economic advantages not shared by loblolly pine.

In another study, researchers measured 39 year old longleaf, loblolly and slash pine trees that were planted at the same time. Less than 8 percent of the loblolly and less than 12 percent of the slash could be graded as poles, while nearly 72 percent of the longleaf were graded as poles. This equates to an additional 60 percent of the stand bringing a premium price when compared to the other species. This in itself is a strong incentive for landowners to consider establishment and management of longleaf.

Wildlife Mississippi has already reforested over 1,860 acres of longleaf pine during the past 4 years. They plan to reforest approximately 700 acres during the next few months.
For more information on longleaf restoration, contact Randy Browning, Field Biologist, Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation, P.O. 16537, Hattiesburg, MS 39404-6537 or (601) 264-6010.