The Longleaf Pine

The longleaf pine (pinus palustris) is one of the dominant pine species at SRS. Distributed in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from Virginia to Texas, the trees are common in dry, sandy locations. At maturity, they generally reach 80–120 feet in height and up to two-and-a-half feet in diameter (with a maximum height of 150 feet and diameter of four feet). They produce cones up to 10 inches long. The longleaf is the preferred pine species of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, and large areas of SRS are managed for the species because of the woodpecker. The trees are harvested for timber, and their pine straw (from needles reaching 15 inches in length) is used extensively in landscaping projects. The 2004 SRS Environmental Report's interactive CD and associated web page were designed by Don Lechner and the report cover by Eleanor Justice—both of the Westinghouse Savannah River Company’s Documentation and Information Services Section – Media Documentation Group. The photograph was taken by Al Mamatey of the company’s Environmental Services Section.

Westinghouse Savannah River Company • Savannah River Site • Aiken, South Carolina