DISTRIBUTION OF LOBLOLLY PINE. 



Ill 



In Louisiana, west of the Mississippi bottom, the Loblolly Piue is found frequently scattered 

 in the level woods Ijordering upon the grassy marshes of the coast. North of the region of the 

 Lougleaf Pine on the pine flats with a i)oor, sandy, nndrained soil, between Lake Beaudeau and 

 Bayou Dauchitt, extending to the Arkansas State line, this species forms the principal tree 

 covering. The tree is cut only for local consumption in the absence of means of transportation. 



Li Arkansas heavily timbered forests of Loblolly Piue cover the tiat woods in the southeastern 

 part of the State anti the region of the Tertiary and Post-Tertiary formation. The lower levels in 

 the rolling uplands are covered with heavily timbered forests of the Loblolly Pine. It forms in this 

 State an important fixctor in the manufacture of lumber. From observations made in the logging 

 camps in connection with the principal points of i>roduction along the St. Louis and Iron ^Mountain 

 Kailroad south of (lurdon and on the St. Louis and Southwestern Kailroad it can be safely assumed 

 that about one-half of the lumber cut and shipped as "Yellow Pine" to Northern markets from 

 southwestern Arkansas is Loblolly Pine, the other half being Sliortleaf The Hood i)lain of the Little 

 Missouri liiver and the Ouachita Hiver is covered with extensive forests of tbis tree. The deep 

 soil, a stiff sandy loam, flooded after every rainfall, iiroduces a heavy and finely developed timber 

 growth. Upon one acre, rejjresentiug fairly the average of tlie merchantable timber standing, oO 

 trees were counted of from 12 to -48 inches in diameter at breast high; of this number were found : 

 One tree 48 inches in diameter at breast high, length of timber estimated at 40 feet; one tree 3G 

 inches in diameter at breast high, length of timber estimated at 35 feet; three trees 30 inches iu 

 diameter at breast high, length of timber estimated at 3.5 feet; seven trees 23 inches iu diameter 

 at breast high, length of timber estimated at 35 feet; three trees 15 inches in diameter at breast 

 high, length of timber estimated at 35 feet; fifteen trees 12 to 15 inches in diameter at breast high, 

 length of timber estimated at 24 feet. 



Measuremeuls of four trees. 



The timber of these trees was almost free of any defects; sap from 3 to 4 inches on radius. 



In Texas this species is distributed in greater or less abundance to the south and southwest 

 of the Shortleaf Pine region over an area exceeding 6,800 square miles. There is even less basis 

 for statistical statements regarding timber standing at present and consumption than for the 

 Shortleaf Piue, since it is not even recognized as a particular species, and always cut together 

 with the latter, especially between the Trinity and the Brazos rivers. jSTo data have lately been 

 obtained of the annual production of lumber derived from the Loblolly Pine forests iu this State, 

 but iu the light of the statements of the Tenth Census' it nuist contribute largely to the timber 

 supplies of this State. According to this authority, the merchantable timber of Loblolly standing 

 in 1880 was estimated at 20,007,000,000 feet, board measure, and the cut for the same year at 

 01,500,000 feet, board measure. 



PRODUCTS. 



VALUE ANn ISES OF THE WOOD. 



Considered solely as the source of furnishing an abundant and cheap material for purposes 

 where strength and durability are not the first considerations, the Loblolly Pine would be entitled 

 to take its place amsmg the timber trees of greater importance. The average tree of full growth, 

 as it is generally found in the original forest on a ])oorer soil, furnishes timber with a fair proportion 

 of heartwood, with sticks of from 30 to 50 feet and over iu length, free from blemish and in some 

 points scarcely iuferior to the timber of the Shortleaf and sometimes even of the Longleaf Pine, 

 In fact, the selected lumber of Loblolly classes with the latter in many of the markets for the same 



'Charles S. Sargent, report of Tenth Census, Vol. IX, p. 5-11, 1884. 



