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Although loblolly and slash pine have been the preferred tree species planted in the South since the 1930s, today’s landowners should also consider shortleaf pine as a valid choice for reforestation and restoration projects. On sites other than heavy Piedmont soils, where littleleaf disease may be a problem, shortleaf pine performs well and experiences forest health risks comparable to those of loblolly pine. When the ecological benefits of a well-managed shortleaf stand align with a landowner’s forest management objectives, shortleaf pine warrants consideration as a species to plant. Shortleaf Pine Knowledge Gaps/Research Needs IdentifiedMuch of what is known about the resistance of shortleaf pine to damaging agents is based on empirical observations and is not well documented in the scientific literature. There is a need to fill knowledge gaps related to potential impacts of such factors as invasive pests, pine tip moths and littleleaf disease under future conditions related to climate change. Genetic resistance traits to incorporate into future shortleaf pine breeding programs also should be investigated. IntroductionShortleaf pine, Pinus echinata, is the most widely distributed pine native to the southern United States. It can be found in 22 states from New Jersey to Florida and west to eastern Texas. However, its domain is diminishing. Between 1980 and 2010, the area of shortleaf pine-dominant forests declined 52%, from 12.6 million acres to 6.1 million acres. Although changing land use is responsible for the largest proportion of shortleaf pine ecosystem loss, afforestation and reforestation efforts have favored the use of loblolly pine over shortleaf pine, largely because of the economic advantages resulting from faster growth and shorter rotation lengths. However, this fiber production model fails to consider the lower susceptibility of shortleaf pine to mechanical damage from fire, ice or wind, resistance to insects or diseases, or potential premiums from tighter-grained grade materials (for a detailed list of risk comparisons among southern pines, see Table 1). |
