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SHORTLEAF PINE (Yellow Pine) 



{Pinus echmata Mill.) 



TTHE shortleaf pine, also known as yellow pine, 

 rosemary pine, and old-field pine, is widely dis- 

 tributed throiigliout the South. In Georgia, it is the 

 characteristic pine over the Piedmont and the south- 

 facing slopes, where it occurs mixed with hardwoods 

 and in pure second-growth stands. The young tree 

 in the open has a straight and somewhat stout stem 



SHORTLEAF PINE 

 One-half natural size. 



with slightly ascending branches. In maturity the 

 tree has a tall, straight stem and an oval crown, 

 reaching a height of about 100 feet and a diameter 

 of about 41/2 feet. The young tree, when cut or 

 burned back, reproduces itself by sprouting from the 

 stump. 



The leaves are in clusters of two or three, from 

 3 to 5 inches long, slender, flexible, and dark blue- 

 green. The cones, or burrs, are the smallest of all 

 our pines, II/2 to 2iA inches long, oblong, with small 

 sharp prickles, generally clustered, and often hold- 

 ing to the twigs for 3 or 4 years. The small seeds are 

 mottled and have a wing, which is broadest near 

 the center. The bark is brownish red, broken into 

 rectangular plates ; it is thinner and lighter-colored 

 than that of loblolly pine. This is most readily iden- 

 tified by its leaves and cones. 



The wood of old trees is rather heavy and hard, 

 of yellow-brown or orange color, fine-grained and 

 less resinous than that of the other important south- 

 ern pines. It is used largely for interior and ex- 

 terior finishing, general construction, veneers, paper 

 pulp, excelsior, cooperage, mine props, and other 

 purposes. 



