SHORTLEAF PINE 



(Pinus Echinata) 



IN the markets the lumber of this species is known as yellow pine, 

 southern yellow pine, and sap pine, and in some localities the term 

 shortleaf is used. The latter is descriptive, and can be easily understood 

 when reference is made to the living tree, because its short needles 

 distinguish it from its associates in the pine forest ; but in speaking of 

 lumber only, the reference to the leaves has less meaning, particularly 

 to one who is not acquainted with the tree's appearance. Its wood so 

 closely resembles that of Cuban and loblolly pine that they are not 

 easily distinguished by sight alone. In the East the name Carolina pine 

 or North Carolina pine is much used, but it is not often heard west of the 

 Allegheny mountains. Referring to the manner and locality of its 

 growth it is called slash pine in North Carolina and Virginia, old-field 

 pine in Alabama and Mississippi, and poor-field pine in Florida. Its 

 tendency to take possession of abandoned ground has given it these 

 names. It is occasionally called pitch pine in Missouri. That name 

 would not distinguish it hi most parts of the South where several species 

 of pitch pine grow. In some regions it is known as spruce pine, but the 

 name is not based on any characteristic of the living tree or of its wood. 

 In North Carolina and Alabama, and in literature, it is sometimes known 

 as rosemary pine, but that name applies rather to fine timber cut from 

 any southern yellow pine, than to this species in particular. In Delaware 

 it is known as shortshat and in Virginia as bull pine. To those who are 

 familiar with the tree's appearance, the name shortleaf pine is most 

 accurate in definition. 



The commercial range of shortleaf pine has contracted to a con- 

 siderable extent since the settlement of the country. It once grew as 

 far north as Albany, New York, and from fifty to a hundred years ago it 

 was lumbered in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia in regions 

 where it has now ceased to exist, or is found only as scattered trees. Its 

 geographical range is now usually given from New York to Florida, west 

 to Missouri and Oklahoma and northeastern Texas. It is important in 

 lumber operations in North Carolina and southward, and westward to 

 the limits of its range. The tree reaches its largest size and attains its 

 finest stands west of the Mississippi river. In average size it exceeds 

 longleaf pine. It may reach a height above 100 feet and a trunk diam- 

 eter of three or four. Squared timbers of large size were formerly ex- 

 ported from Virginia and North Carolina. Similar sizes cannot now be 

 procured there. 



