LONGLEAF PINE 5 
The largest remaining areas of old growth are found in the five 
States bordering* on the Gulf of Mexico. Reports from mill opera- 
tors owning or controlling practically the entire remaining stand of 
old-growth pine in the South indicate that it is very doubtful 
whether at the present rate of cutting the longleaf forests, which 
have always been the chief factor in the production of southern 
yellow pine, will last for many more years. 
The total annual cut of longleaf is not known. According to the 
best estimates, the lumber cut is roughly about one-half of the total 
Fig. 1. — Outline map of the southern United States, the shaded part showing the 
botanical range of longleaf pine. This species of southern pine occurs widely dis- 
tributed over the coastal plain from, southeastern, Virginia to eastern Texas. Ex- 
tensive areas of cut-over longleaf lands occur throughout practically the whole 
range. The bulk of the remaining old growth is located in parts of Florida, 
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Originally, longleaf pine composed 
the bulk of what was probably the world's greatest pure yellow pine forest 
southern yellow pine lumber cut, which ranges yearly from 10 to 15 
billion board feet. In addition, considerable amounts are cut for 
crossties, piling, pulp wood, and fuel wood. The estimated total cut 
is, therefore, equivalent to 8 to 10 billion board feet. Continuous 
losses of merchantable timber are caused by windfall, turpentining, 
insects, fires, and diseases. 
Its habit of growth in pure stands over large areas, rather than as 
scattered trees in a mixture, and its ability to grow on poor, dry, and 
poorly drained soils mark longleaf as a pine of great potential value. 
Over its range, generally, longleaf pine is found growing on prac- 
