I’ve written about the Longleaf Pine several times, including in this essay for Humans and Nature, but I’ve never seen a living example of the tree until recently. Alas, it’s just a stripling of 25 years or so of age at NYBG, perhaps 25 feet high.
But look at those needles!
Longleaf Again
2 responses to “Longleaf Again”
-
Bartram’s travel writings repeatedly mentions longleaf pine: e.g., “I rode several miles through a high forest of pines, thinly growing on a level plain, which admitted an ample view, and a free circulation of air…” “…high open forests of stately pines…” “…gentle zephyrs breathing through the fragrant pines; the prospect around enchantingly varied and beautiful; endless green savannas…” “…an open forest of stately pines (Pinus palustris) through which appears the extensive savanna…” “…entered a noble forest of lofty pines…” “…I came to the open forests, consisting of exceedingly tall strait Pines (Pinus palustris) that stood at a considerable distance from each other, through which appeared at N. W. an almost unlimited plain of grassy savannas, embellished with a chain of shallow ponds, as far as the sight could reach.” “…a fine grove of young long leaved Pines.” http://docsouth.unc.edu/nc/bartram/bartram.html
-
I have the Library of America edition of Bertram in my to-read pile.
-
Backyard and Beyond 
Leave a reply to Dr. Hugo Rogers Cancel reply