Southern Pine is a description
Southern Yellow Pine is not a species, but rather a description. Within this region grow ‘hard” pines (yellow) and soft pines (white); color is an attempt to distinguish the Yellow or “hard pines” from the Eastern White Pine or Red Pine. Inside of the SYP description are four major species and 7-8 minor species; Shortleaf, Longleaf, Loblolly, and Slash being the most common and useful. For more information on the entire Pine genus and all of them for that matter.
Longleaf vs Loblolly
Loblolly pine- is the most important economic pine in the southern United States and is known as “King Pine”. It comprises more than half of the standing pine volume. Loblolly pine is shade intolerant; however, it can tolerate a wide variety of soil and site conditions. The native range is primarily along the Gulf Coastal Plain and as far north as Illinois and New Jersey. Damage from harsh winters limit northward expansion. Landowners grow loblolly pine in intensively managed plantations. Thinning, fertilization, and prescribed fires can improve growth and volume of a stand. The fast-growing Loblolly pine harvest time are relatively short rotations, compared to other species.
Longleaf pine -Once the premier timber and naval stores species, longleaf pine grew in expansive pure stands across the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plains. Recently however, the species that once flourished on 60 million acres now only remains on less than 4 million acres in the southern United States. The species grows tall, straight with very slight taper, and prunes well. Longleaf pine is diminishing in area due to over exploitation, lack of advanced regeneration planning, and the market desire for faster product rotation.
Southern Yellow Pine, not a species, but Longleaf is for sure
Southern Yellow Pine Direct offers Alabama and Louisiana pine. Alabama Longleaf Heart Pine floors are scarce, the trees do not grow on farms. Nor is it harvested using clear cut techniques. Alabama is one the last places hiding mature Longleaf Heart Pine. Alabama, specifically the northern half of the state, produces the best Longleaf pine in the United States. The climate, soil and local industry make Alabama the best region to produce Longleaf pine; Alabama is the region of Champagne.