Longleaf Pine is the State Tree of Alabama. Pinus palustris is the scientific name of Longleaf Pine and it is commonly known as Southern Longleaf Pine. It is also known as long straw pine, yellow pine, southern yellow pine, swamp pine, hard or heart pine, pitch pine, and Georgia pine. Pinus are the genus of the Longleaf Pine and P. palustris is its species. The Alabama’s State tree Longleaf Pine is belongs from the family of Pinaceae, which is a pine commonly found to the southeastern United States along with the eastern Texas to southeast Virginia coastal unadorned areas, which are extending to the northern and central Florida. Pines are among the most abundant and commercially imperative tree species. It is mostly important for timber and pulp round the world.
That’s why it is widely spread and it is grown in different parts of the world. When a State body selects a symbol for the State it should represent extra ordinary design, quality, expression, cultural, traditional and religious back ground, which go back thousands of years for its popularities. On basis of the facts that stated above, In1949, the state Legislature of Alabama designated the Southern Longleaf Pine as the official state tree of Alabama, which was specified on May 22, 1997. It is not only the State tree of Alabama but it is also State/national tree of many other countries or states with its variety.
Facts about Alabama’s State Tree (Longleaf Pine)
- Common name: Southern Longleaf Pine.
- Genus: Pinus
Species: Pinus palustris - Found in: is a pine commonly found to the southeastern United States along with the eastern Texas to southeast Virginia coastal unadorned areas, which are extending to the northern and central Florida.
- Flower: The Longleaf Pines have produces both male and female flower in same tree. The male flowers are long, yellow-red color, and the female oval, purple color.
- Bark: The bark of the Longleaf Pine trees are somewhat scaly, orange-brown to gray, which will ultimately develop its plates.
- Leaf: The leaves of the Longleaf Pine called ‘needle’, which are generating in bundles of three leaves, evergreen, leathery and long. Its lengths are in between 8 to 18 cm.
- Fruits: The fruits of Longleaf Pine called ‘cone’. There are two types of cone have the pine trees, which one for generates pollen and another for develop and dropping the seeds. The smaller pollen cones can be generates an enormous amount of pollen per year and that are attached to new shoots. The seed-bearing cones are larger in size and woody types, which are generally attached with limbs on small stalks. The fruits have been matured in the period of September to October.
Purpose: ornamental. - Symbolism: Wisdom and longevity, peace, virtue, good luck, prosperity, and good health, fertility, masculinity, and winter.
The Pine is the easiest recognized plant by the peoples throughout the world. There are almost 115 species of the pines exist in the world (different opinions 105 to 125 species) most of which are native to the Northern Hemisphere. At least 36 significant species of pines are native to the Northern America and Canada out of which the 13 most exposed pines are; Eastern white pine (Pinus strobus),Western white pine (Pinus monticola),Sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana),Red pine (Pinus resinosa),Pitch pine (Pinus rigida),Jack pine (Pinus banksiana),Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris),Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata),Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda),Slash pine (Pinus elliottii), Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana),Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta),Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa).
The Alabama’s State tree the Longleaf Pine is one of the most precious conifer species in the Balkan Peninsula. The pine wood is durable and it is highly cherished in construction, furniture manufacture, wood-carving and cooperage. The tree is also outstandingly good at adapting to stern mountain atmosphere that makes it valuable types of plant for afforestation on high terrain and as a protection against erosion. It is also a well-liked ornamental tree in parks and open large gardens, giving steady plant it cannot growth rapidly on ample range locations.
The Alabama’s State tree the Longleaf Pine are been uses in various aspect due to its nature and availability and affordability. It has been used as building materials, as raw materials of paper, pulp and moldings Industries, also used for construction lumber, furniture and floors etc. It contains lot of medicinal properties like as; antioxidant, astringent, antiseptic, inflammatory, expectorant, and Vitamin C that is a potential remedy of cold-flu-cough, congestion and scurvy.
The Pine trees have been used as Christmas tree since 16th Century begins from the ancient Germany and then it occurs internationally from 19th century. Most of the Christian people throughout the world choose it as Christmas tree. It is also burly related with Christmas and the Christmas season. The branches of pine trees are tough enough to embrace ornaments, candles, and strings of lights. Its distinctive aroma attracts people frequently towards it.
To sum up, Pine is the people’s favorite State Tree of Alabama, which symbolized Wisdom and longevity, peace, virtue, good luck, prosperity, and good health, fertility, masculinity, and winter. Although it is an official State tree symbol of Alabama, it outstandingly represents and glorifies the spirit of Alabama culture.