The loblolly pine is the specific pine of particular worship in Arkansas, where it is the official state tree. It grows rapidly and is used in replanting and forest control efforts. Three other types of pine are also found in Arkansas. The pine is recognized as an official tree in several other states.
The pine, a large genus of trees in the Pinaceae family, is the official state tree of Arkansas, according to legislation in 1939. Many point to the species loblolly, however, as the specific pine of particular worship. Loblolly pine, or Pinaceae Pinus taeda, makes up about half of all pines in the southern United States. Alternatively called Arkansas pine or North Carolina pine, the loblolly pine has been a major contributor to Arkansas becoming a verdant and profitable woodland.
Loblolly pine grows rapidly, both in the wild and in the hundreds of commercial groves found along the gentle rolling roads of Arkansas. At maturity, it can reach 100 feet (30 m). Its natural habitat is in United States Department of Agriculture zone 8 for hardiness, meaning its average lowest temperature is 10 to 20°F (-12 to -7°C). This is exemplified by temperatures that are not too extreme: not tropical hot for several months like in South Florida or Texas, but never cold for long periods like in New England or the Midwest.
Perhaps due to the speed of its growth and the value of its timber, the Arkansas State Tree is often used in replanting and forest control efforts. Called forestry, this field of study deals with the regular replenishment of forests, using a variety of tactics such as clearcutting and group selection. Loblolly pine saplings are a common sight in landscaping efforts around Arkansas. Available in abundance in some communities, local environmental groups occasionally give out free loblolly saplings at county fairs.
Three other types of pine are found in Arkansas. This means that there is technically more than just one Arkansas state tree. Also on the list are longleaf, shortleaf, and slash pine species. Behind the loblolly in population is the shortleaf species, or Pinus echinata. However, loblolly dominates the southern states, with nearly 30,000,000 combined acres of ground cover, double the amount of shortleaf pine.
The pine is recognized as an official tree in several states. The generic “pine” is not only the state tree of Arkansas, but also of North Carolina. The white pine represents Maine, Idaho and Michigan, with the longleaf pine being chosen from Alabama and the red pine symbolizing Minnesota. Out west, varieties such as Ponderosa pine in Montana, Bristlecone pine in Nevada, and nut pine in New Mexico are official state trees.
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