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LONGLEAF PINE TRAIL
History
- The Longleaf pine ecosystem once covered some 90 million acres in the
southeastern costal plain.
- Logging began heavily after the revolutionary war and then intensified with the
development of the railroads.
- By 1930 virtually all-virgin Longleaf forests were cut.
- Less than 1000 acres of virgin Longleaf forest remains today.
- Longleaf forests (mostly second growth) cover only four percent of their former
range (a 96 % loss!).
Soil
The soil consists of the Troup series sand. This soil is formed from deposits of marine
origin and is found along the fall-line in the Georgia and Carolina “sandhills”. It is deep,
well drained, and consists of sand and sandy loam. Iron-oxide sandstone rocks occur
abundantly in the upper subsoil. This soil is low in natural fertility (available nutrients)
and organic matter content. Available water capacity is low. The soil is also strongly acid
to very strongly acid throughout.
Ecology
Fire
- The Longleaf forest ecosystem is fire dependent.
- Longleaf pine trees are superbly adapted to live with fire. Their bark is thick and
insulating. The seedlings grow low to the ground in what is called the “grass
stage” for two to seven years building up a large root system (this is unique
among southern pines). The center bud is protected from fire by being close to the
ground and by the insulating needles surrounding it. Then the young tree shoots
up very quickly which gets the main bud out of reach of most fires.
- The tree produces needles that have more volatile resins and oils than any other
southern pine, which helps fires burn.
- Fires creates bare soil conditions necessary for Longleaf pine seedlings to sprout.
- Fires kill brownspot which can infest and kill Longleaf pine seedlings.
- Without summer fires to trigger flowering, many ground cover species are unable
to set seed to reproduce.
- Legume plants depend on fire to keep understory vegetation down so sunlight can
reach the forest floor.
- Legumes fertilize the soil by adding nitrogen (“nitrogen fixers”) and although fire
burns up nitrogen, the abundant legumes quickly add it back.
- Ash from a fire adds nutrients back to the soil.
Animals
Animals likely to be seen along the trail:
Gopher Tortoise
- Is a characteristic animal for this habitat.
- Is the state reptile of Georgia.
- Is the only naturally occurring tortoise east of the Mississippi river.
- Due to logging and development, 80% of it’s historic habitat is gone.
- Is a threatened species in the state of Georgia.
- There are three conditions necessary for gopher tortoise habitat: well drained
sandy soil, low growing plants to eat, and an open canopy with sparse shrub
cover. Fire helps maintain these conditions.
- Dozens of animals depend on gopher tortoise burrows for their survival. The
burrows also serve as a hideout during fires.
- Eats many grasses and low growing plants, and aids in seed dispersal for these
plants.
Fox Squirrel
- Is a characteristic animal for this habitat.
- Is the largest and most variably colored tree squirrel in the western hemisphere.
They often have a black “mask” on their face.
- There has been an 85% decline in population since European settlement.
- Is dependent on pine seeds and acorns. They are large enough to handle the large
cones of the Longleaf pine.
- They are important for the dispersal of Mycorrhizal fungi in their feces, which is
important for the Longleaf pine root systems. The fungus helps the tree absorb
minerals and water in the poor soil.
Bobwhite Quail
- Is a small stocky fowl that will suddenly fly out of the ground cover with much
noise.
- Is a bird that thrives in a fire maintained ecosystem.
Pine Warbler
- Is a small yellow-breasted bird with white wing bars.
Red-bellied Woodpecker
It has black and white striping on its back and a red “cap” on its head.
Six-lined Racerunner
- Is a striped lizard that runs along the ground very quickly.
Hognose Snake
- Is a small, stocky, and harmless snake that when frightened will spread its neck
and hiss like a cobra. If that doesn’t work, it turns its self upside down, opens its
mouth, sticks out its tongue, and plays dead.
Other animals sighted on the trial or in the trail area:
- Red shouldered hawk, Great horned owl, Mourning dove, Bluebird, Redheaded
woodpecker, Northern flicker, Pileated woodpecker, Tufted titmouse, Carolina
chickadee, Chipping sparrow, White-tailed deer, Coyote, Gray fox, Opossum,
Bobcat, Gray squirrel, Rabbit, Black ratsnake, Black racer, Scarlet kingsnake,
Coachwhip, Timber rattlesnake, Squirrel treefrog, and toads.
.
Plants
Some characteristic trees and plants for this habitat growing along the trail:
Longleaf Pine
- Has the longest needles and the largest cones of all the pines in the southeast.
- Is adapted to live with fire. See fire ecology section.
- Is a long-lived tree, can live 400-500 years.
- This tree thrives in the dry, sandy soil of the area.
Turkey Oak
- Some leaves of this oak have three pointed lobes, which resembles the outline of a
turkey’s footprint.
- Young trees will readily spout back from the rootstock after fire burns above
ground parts. The young and vigorous sprouts have leaves with more lobes on
them than the older trees.
Bluejack Oak
Sand Post Oak
Yellow Hawthorn
Southern Dwarf Huckleberry*
White-leaf Greenbriar
Dawnflower
Georgia Beargrass
Crested Onion
Carphephorus*
Grass-leaved Gold-aster*
Whorled Milkweed
Gopherweed
Spurge-nettle
Hairy False Foxglove
Sandhills Thistle
Wire-plant
Blazing Star
Bluestem Grass*
*Gopher tortoise eats these plants or their fruits.