DISTRIBUTION OF LOBLOLLY PINE. 



119 



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

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

 Longleaf Pine on the pine flats with a poor, sandy, undrained 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. 



In Arkansas heavily timbered forests of Loblolly Pine cover the flat woods in the southeastern 

 part of the State and 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 factor in the manufacture of lumber. From observations made in the logging 

 camps in connection with the principal points of production along the St. Louis and Iron Mountain 

 Railroad south of Gurdon and on the St. Louis and Southwestern Railroad 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 Shortleaf. The flood plain of the Little 

 Missouri River and the Ouachita River is covered with extensive forests of this tree. The deep 

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

 growth. Upon one acre, representing fairly the average of the merchantable timber standing, 30 

 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 36 

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

 diameter at breast high, length of timber estimated at 35 feet; seven trees 23 inches in 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. 



Measurements 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 Pine, 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. No data have lately been 

 obtained of the annual production of Inmber derived from the Loblolly Pine forests in this State, 

 but in the light of the statements of the Tenth Census 1 it must contribute largely to the timber 

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

 in 1880 was estimated at 20,907,000,000 feet, board measure, and the cut for the same year at 

 i ; 1.500,000 feet, board measure. 



PRODUCTS. 

 VALUE AND USES 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 is entitled to 

 take its place among the timber trees of the greatest importance. The average tree of full growth, 

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

 of heartwoocl, with sticks of from 30 to 50 feet and over in length, free from blemish, and generally 

 in no way inferior to the timber of the Shortleaf and sometimes even of the Lougleaf 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. 541. 1884. 



