G I N V I R I A

From the Brink! The Effort to Restore Virginia’s Native Longleaf Pine 2014 Status Report

Virginia Department of Forestry Acknowledgements š This project was supported by grant funds from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Protection Program. This publication was produced by the Virginia Department of Forestry.

Authored By: Photos By:

Jerre Creighton Billy Apperson Forest Research Manager, Virginia Department of Forestry Virginia Department of Forestry Dean Cumbia Christopher Asaro Forest Resource Management Director, Forest Health Specialist, Virginia Department of Forestry Virginia Department of Forestry Bobby Clontz Harvey Darden The Nature Conservancy State Lands Director, Virginia Department of Forestry Jerre Creighton Brian van Eerden Forest Research Manager, Virginia Department of Forestry Southern Rivers Program Director, The Nature Conservancy Harvey Darden Rick Myers State Lands Director, Virginia Department of Forestry Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, Virginia Department of Brian van Eerden Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Southern Rivers Program Director, The Nature Conservancy Phil Sheridan Gary Fleming Director, Meadowview Biological Research Station Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Edited By: Division of Natural Heritage Rick Myers Christopher Asaro Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, Virginia Department of Forest Health Specialist, Virginia Department of Forestry Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage Designed By: Phil Sheridan Director, Meadowview Biological Research Station Janet Muncy Public Information Specialist, Virginia Department of Forestry Rebecca Wilson Natural Areas Steward, Virginia Department of Conservation and Maps By: Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage

Todd Edgerton Forest Health Forester, Virginia Department of Forestry

G I N V I R I A INTRODUCTION

A Brief History of Longleaf Pine in Virginia Description Five centuries ago, longleaf pine was perhaps the most common forest tree species on the uplands of southeast š Virginia. Although they were looking for and hoping to Longleaf pine is one of eight pine species explorers who arrived in Virginia in 1607 soon found found in Virginia. It occurs naturally in the anotherfind gold valuable and silver, resource John Smith – pitch and andthe othertar obtained English southeastern portion of the state and most closely resembles loblolly pine, the most that was both readily available and of great importance. common species in the Southeast. Mature from longleaf pines growing along the James River – longleaf pine is distinguished from loblolly pine by its much longer needles (8 to 20 inIn America.1608 when Given the itsfirst role “tryalls in the of region’s pitch and early tarre” economy were inches for longleaf vs. 4 to 11 inches for andexported its use to inEngland, building the construction, naval stores industrylongleaf washas beenborn loblolly), larger cone (6 to 10 inches vs. 2 to 5 inches) and stouter terminal branches Whileaptly dubbed critical the to “treecommerce that built and Tidewater.” transportation, the and buds. Longleaf pine seedlings, unlike rise of the naval stores industry marked the beginning all other Virginia pines, have a “grass of the demise for longleaf forests, both in Virginia and stage” in which seedlings display delayed southward throughout the longleaf range in the Atlantic vertical growth and take on the aspect of a clump grass. Seedlings transition out of this stage in three to five years with ofand decline. Gulf coastal Forest plain regeneration states. Extraction was greatly of impactedpitch across by rapid upward growth. Longleaf has been destructivevast acreages, foraging followed of feralby logging, hogs on led the to carbohydrate-the first wave documented to live for more than 300 rich roots of longleaf seedlings. Conversion of forests to years and attain sizes of up to 130 feet in agricultural use was swift across the productive, level height. The lumber properties of longleaf lands of southeast Virginia throughout the 1600s and are considered exceptional due to its of longleaf forests – was another main cause for longleaf straightness and strength. decline1700s. The and suppression caused widespread of wildfire failure – critical of tothe the species health to regenerate. Some consider the decline of Native American populations, which used fire extensively, as Allthe told, beginning from about of the 1500 fire suppression to 1850, more period. than one million acres of longleaf pine forest disappeared from Virginia. In 1893, longleaf pine in Virginia was pronounced by foresterlongleaf B.E. Fernow pines to are be essentially“…for all practical gone and purposes, fewer extinct.” Today,than natural200 mature, forests nativein Virginia longleaf containing pine for all practical purposes been eliminated at the northern range of this widely reality is, longleaf forests have distributed species. trees are known in the state. The

1 The “Original” Range of dominant forest tree in southeast Virginia as of 1607, Longleaf Pine westward into the Piedmont of Dinwiddie, Greensville An estimated 90 million acres of longleaf pine forests andranging Brunswick to probably counties, just north as well of theas eastwardJames River up andthe once existed within the native range, extending from to a more restricted range in Virginia as presented by length of Virginia’s Eastern Shore (Figure 1). Compared cansoutheast create Virginiathe impression to east ofTexas. a static The area terms within “native” which or a species“original” of plantrange or are animal in some is and ways has misleading, always been as found. they Little (1971), the map below represents a more recent Of course, the native range of organisms is constantly biological,interpretation historical by Eberhardt, and archeological et al. (2011) evidence. as adapted While shifting as climate and other physical factors, such as thefrom exact Frost distribution (1993) based of longleaf on additional pine in 1607 data was from not then and cannot today be precisely determined, for there is general agreement that longleaf pine was a forest restoration purposes it really does not need to be. fire frequency, sea level, etc., change over time. However,

Figure 1.

2 Longleaf and Fire nearHistorically, sea level longleaf inland forests through were the found coastal on aplain wide where range itof dominated sites, from many wet, poorly-drainedupland sites. Longleaf coastal grew flatwoods well Longleaf pine forests have been called “the forest that inland from the Atlantic coast, crossing the fall line and longleaf regeneration and growth cannot be overstated. fire made” (Greene 1931). The fundamental role of fire in even ranges into the mountains of northwest Georgia Numerous traits point to the species’ resilience and andoccupying northeast lower Alabama Piedmont up to sites. 2,000 Remarkably, feet elevation. longleaf habit, which protects the stem and terminal bud of dependence on fire. These include its “grass stage” Longleaf pine has mistakenly been considered by some bark, which insulates critical inner-bark tissue from to be a tree exclusively associated with well-drained, young seedlings from fire, and the tree’s thick, corky sandy soils. Indeed, many remnant longleaf individuals soil for seedling establishment, a condition that can be heat damage. Seeds require contact with bare mineral this, those unfamiliar with longleaf ecology and the and duff. Longleaf seedling growth and survival also and stands are found today on dry, sandy sites. Seeing hingesachieved on onlyperiodic through removal fire of consumption faster and taller-growing of leaf litter historicallyrole of fire occupied might come a broad to thespectrum incorrect of soil conclusion textures species, particularly hardwoods and loblolly pine, to gain that longleaf “likes” sandy soils. In reality, this species dominancevegetation. overAn extended longleaf pineabsence and ofinhibit fire enablesregeneration, other and moisture regimes. What longleaf “likes” is fire. longleaf pine restoration and natural regeneration particularly on moister sites. Therefore, successful

depends on the judicious use of prescribed fire to sustain structure, function and composition (Van Lear, et al. 2005). no longer sweep across southeastern Virginia as While fires set by lightning and Native Americans to the landscape through the efforts of various they had for millennia, fire is making a comeback

beagencies used toand control private competing landowners. vegetation Controlled and fires to establish– implemented suitable by seedbed qualified conditions professionals for longleaf – can seedling regeneration.

3 What Is Left?

The Search for ‘Native’ Longleaf Pine place names (areas where turpentine, tar and pitch A 1998 census of longleaf were produced for wooden viewedships) or onewith questionable caution. pine in Virginia found herbarium specimen (McAvoyOther 2007)trees, such and mustas pitch, be that approximately 4,400 loblolly, shortleaf and pond longleaf pine remained pine, have been used to on less than 800 acres produce naval stores and, therefore, naval store place census counted longleaf pine,(Sheridan, including et al. seedlings, 1999). The on habitats or stands known occurrencenames are of not longleaf a definitive pine. to contain native trees and Likewise,identification the occurrence of the did not include non-native of turpentine stumps as ornamental yard trees. evidence of longleaf pine must also be carefully evaluated since other pine nativeHalf of longleaf the census pine treesfrom species were used for this Louisianawere identified that were as planted non- by Union Camp Corporation in the 1950s as part of a purpose (Eberhardt, et al. reforestation project. When 2011). even more stringent criteria pines are better adapted forNative in-state Virginia planting longleaf since trees, determining their age they have greater survival, andare eliminating used (by coringthose prior the height growth and water to an era of possible planting use than other southern claim fewer than 200 al. 1999, Creighton, et al. longleafin the 1950s) pine trees we canas being now provenances (Sheridan, et truly native to Virginia. value2009 andof native 2011, JohnsenVirginia and around the Blackwater longleaf2013). Awarenesspine has resulted of the Most of these are located in in the discovery of several census population of native old growth trees not VirginiaRiver basin longleaf (Figure pine 1). pales The in comparison to historical pine trees are typically found on property boundary occupying almost 1.5 million acres in the southeastern linesdocumented or within in older the 1998mixed census.pine and These hardwood old longleaf stands. estimates (Frost 1993) of hundreds of millions of trees We hope that the keen interest now shown in Virginia longleaf pine will result in a few more native trees Coastal Plain and Piedmont provinces of Virginia. The being discovered. Any additional mature native longleaf validity of the lower-peninsulaVirginia is andbased Eastern on pine trees found in Virginia will play a vital role in Shore range of longleafnaval pinestore in establishing native seed orchards and restoring locally- adapted longleaf pines to the Commonwealth.

4 Why Restore Longleaf?

The Case For Conserving And Restoring Virginia’s stableaddition, investment it is tolerant once of well-established. salt spray, wildfire and ice, and is generally wind-firm. Therefore, longleaf pine can be a Longleaf Pine Forests Beyond the economic or commodity values lie other Why is there increasing interest in bringing longleaf values. For example, open-structured longleaf pine equally-significant ecosystem benefits and aesthetic back to Virginia? Botanist Roland Harper once said longleaf pine has “probably more uses than any other provideforests maintained habitat for bya greatfrequent, variety low-intensity of wildlife firesspecies, are fortree construction, in North America excellent if notmasts in for the ships, whole naval world”. stores In some of our most biologically diverse ecosystems. They colonial Virginia, longleaf pine provided quality lumber providing prime grazing land for cattle. In later years, such as bobwhite quail, red-cockaded woodpeckers, (e.g., turpentine, tar and pitch) and an open understory Bachman’s sparrows and Mabee’s salamanders, and straight-grained dimensional lumber and its strong they support a diverse flora including pitcherplants, longleaf became valued largely for its high-quality, orchids, lilies, showy wildflowers, grasses and sedges. become a preferred source of pine straw for landscaping BecauseMany species it is associatedgenerally more with thelong-lived longleaf than ecosystem other uses.durable Longleaf poles (Wahlenberg pine is highly 1946). resistant More recently,to numerous it has nativeare threatened pine species, or endangered longleaf forests (Van have Lear, theet al.potential 2005). insect pests, such as pine beetles, pine weevils and pine tip moths, and to diseases, such as fusiform rust. In for long-term carbon sequestration.

5 Why ‘Northern Source’?

The Importance of What is ‘Northern-Source’ Longleaf? ‘Northern-Source’ Seedlings For Longleaf š Pine Restoration In “Northern-source” longleaf is defined as Virginia those longleaf originating from parents native to an area north of the Neuse River in northeastern North Carolina. Studies conducted by the Virginia Department of “Native Virginia” longleaf is that subset of Forestry (VDOF) and the USDA Forest Service suggest “northern-source” trees originating from provenance“northern-source” study was longleaf planted pine in early represents 2006 to a compare distinct parents found north of the state line. From population with unique character traits. A VDOF the performance of seedlings from various geographic a restoration standpoint, there is little origins in terms of establishment success and early difference whether seed collected from 50 miles north or south of the Virginia-North growth. The provenances originated from native trees Carolina state line is used for restoration in Virginia, natural stands and a seed orchard in North in Virginia. 25-treeCarolina plots and replicatednatural stands twice in at South each ofCarolina, three locations: Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. They are planted in

Figure 2. Combined relative fitness ranking (for average age- seven height, diameter and survival) across three locations.

6 Garland Gray Forestry Center (Sussex County, VA), New Kent Forestry Center (New Kent County, VA) and rankingsSandy Point based State on Forest a combination (King William of survival, County, height VA) and diameterhave been have assessed shown through throughout age seven.the study Relative that Virginia fitness longleaf pine has outperformed the others (Figure 2).

A separate study by USDA Forest Service scientists from sourcethe Southern seedlings Research as having Station the in highest Research water-use Triangle Park, NC, and Saucier, MS, has identified northern- efficiency, likely due to differences in photosynthesis Mississippi-source (left) and Virginia-source (right) Aamong third the study different is exploring provenances genetic (Johnson relations et al., between 2013). longleaf pines in the 2006 provenance test at age seven. northern-sourcesubpopulations within longleaf the pine, northern future source inbreeding area (Echt, is a et al., 2012). Due to relatively small populations of can be obtained from a narrow genetic base, seed collectionsconcern. Although for conservation superior oror breedingequivalent should performance be done in the context of spatial genetic analyses to ensure that genetic diversity is maximized for long-term restoration success (Echt 2013).

7 The Future of ‘Northern-Source’ Longleaf Pine

Seed Collection, Seedling used for restoration projects on land owned and managedNorthern-source by state seedlings agencies have and thus other far been permanently primarily Production, Orchard conserved lands. Locations are prioritized with an Development ecosystem restoration objective encompassing a wide area. Current restoration efforts on public lands in Virginia rely heavily on seed collected from a few scattered individuals and small stands of wild longleaf in How Do We Establish a Seed Orchard? fromsoutheastern parents Virginialocated andon northeasternthe Virginia NorthDepartment Carolina. of Historically, almost all of the seedlings have originated š Conservation and Recreation’s South Quay Sandhills Natural Area Preserve, located in the southwest corner To be sure we include only exact genetic of Suffolk and bordering the Blackwater River (Figure duplicates of the native trees, we graft Longleaf1). pine seed yield is irregular, with peaks every branch cuttings (called “scions”) collected from the mature parent trees in the trees have produced 22 seeds per cone and yielded spring onto young longleaf pines (called 3,500five to de-winged seven years. seeds On peraverage, pound. Virginia Cone collectioncone-bearing has “rootstock”) planted in a grafting bed. been an intensive process with unpredictable results After one season in the grafting bed, the successful grafts are transplanted to the Furthermore, cones that are high up in the canopy of a seed orchard area in a pattern designed due to widely scattered trees that are difficult to access. to ensure a random mixing of pollen in the future crops. A key advantage of grafting fromlarge zerotree canin 2008 be difficult to more to than reach 150,000 and to in protect 2009, fromwith aninsect average damage. of just Since under 2006, 72,000 the seedling per year. crop has ranged onto existing rootstock is that the scion can utilize a developed root system to absorb water and nutrients more quickly and efficiently and therefore grow to seed- CenterTo overcome near Providence these limitations, Forge, VA. VDOF With has use established of improved a bearing maturity faster. Parent trees being six-acre longleaf pine orchard at its New Kent Forestry included in this orchard are selected based on form (mainly straightness) and vigor grafting techniques, cone-bearing trees are expected provide an annual crop of 250,000 seedlings. Until the (absence of insect, disease or mechanical by 2020. Seed production is planned to eventually seed production orchard matures to cone-bearing age, damage). The goal is to have as many as 25 however, we will continue to rely on the available open- surviving genetic copies (grafts) from each pollinated wild trees, and seedling supply will continue to be variable and limited. selected parent tree in the final orchard. Our target is to have 500 parent trees capable of producing 250,000 or more seedlings per year.

8 Honoring William L. ‘Billy’ Apperson

William “Billy” Apperson to the landscape. A further endeavor by Billy to for longleaf pine in Virginia. Billy, a 48-year-veteran create a native longleaf pine seed orchard at the forester of the Virginia Departmentis the Johnny of Appleseed Forestry, who retired in 2012, began diminished species crop totaling two cones in 2012. In the future, the restoration efforts nearly 35 years ago while orchardVDOF New is expected Kent Forestry to produce Center enough yielded cones its first to working with American chestnut and Atlantic white generate 250,000 seedlings annually to help bring back this species that was nearly lost in Virginia. the last remaining native Virginia trees were found cedar. His work later included longleaf pine when the Virginia General Assembly, who commended support from VDOF, Billy made it his mission to Billy’s efforts were recognized in January 2013 by beginin southeastern collecting countiescones and of theseed state. from With these official last andhim has on hiscontinued accomplishments to work part-time through for House VDOF Joint on once covered more than a million acres of Virginia diminishedResolution No.species 559. restoration Billy did not since rest his on retirement. his laurels remaining vestiges of this magnificent species that For his tireless efforts, we and our future generations seedlings, which are slowly beginning to return can all say thank you, Billy. forestland. Seeds yielded native longleaf pine

9 Special Places: Where Are We Restoring Longleaf Pine And Why?

Longleaf pine restoration projects blanket southeastern

(DGIF). Private conservation organizations active in Virginia, extending from the species “core” area south of longleafthe region, pine primarily on their Thepreserves, Nature as Conservancy is Old Dominion and the James and east of the fall line to more distant sites University,Meadowview which Biological holds theResearch distinction Station, of managing are restoring the on the Northern Neck and Eastern Shore and as far west state’s oldest longleaf project on its 319-acre Blackwater Asas Halifaxof 2013, County more in thethan Piedmont 150 landowners (Figure 3). have been involved in longleaf restoration projects, all of whom longleaf is largely absent from industrial timberlands in share an interest in the tree’s natural history and its Ecological Preserve in Isle of Wight County. While Company, are partnering with others to re-establish the projects are found on select private lands, most the region, several landowners, including The Westervelt associated wildlife benefits. The state’s largest planting and on public lands managed by Virginia Department projectsspecies on collectively their lands. serve Spanning as valuable a wide demonstrationrange of soils, notably those owned by Bill Owen in Sussex County, sitesplanting for Virginia’stechniques longleaf and fire recovery management movement. settings, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), VDOF and the Longleaf Pine Establishment Sites

Maryland

Virginia

North Carolina

015 0203040 Mapped by TAE, 11/21/2013 Miles Data provided by TNC, DCR, NRCS, FWS, VDOF

Figure 3.

10 Longleaf Restoration Area Profiles

Virginia: The following are brief profiles of several key longleaf restoration areas in Chub Sandhill Natural Area Preserve; Antioch Pines Natural Area Preserve; South Quay Sandhills Natural Area Preserve Landowner:

Location: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)

Sebrell, Sussex County; Zuni, Isle of Wight County; South Quay, Size/Description:City of Suffolk

5,226 acres total. Chub Sandhill (1,066 acres) and Antioch Pines (1,017 acres) are situated on well-drained terraces along the Nottoway River and Blackwater River, respectively. South Quay Sandhills encompasses 3,143 acres along the Blackwater River and includes the plantstate’s and most animal extensive species. pine sandhills community. The properties are managed with prescribed fire to provide suitable habitat for dozens of rare Longleaf Pine Acreage/Description (as of March 2013): 357 acres containstotal. 155 the acres state’s at Chub largest Sandhill remaining (planted natural in 2007,stands 2008 of longleaf and 2013); pine with202 aacres total at of Antioch 75 acres Pines of pine (planted forests in containing 2011 and longleaf2012). South as a major Quay overstorySandhills propagation of native longleaf pine seedlings, most of which have been plantedcomponent. on state Seed natural collected area from preserves. South Quay by VDOF and DCR is used for

Restoration Goals: All suitable sites on these three, plus two additional state natural area preserves representing more than 2,500 acres, will be converted to longleaf pine as existing loblolly stands are harvested and northern-source seedlings are available. Only northern-source seedlings are used to establish longleaf pine on Virginia state natural area preserves.

11 Blackwater Ecological Preserve Landowner: Old Dominion University

Location:

Size/Description:Zuni, Isle of Wight County

319 acres embedded within Antioch Pines Natural LongleafArea Preserve Pine togetherAcreage/Description: comprising the About Zuni Pine 50 acres, Barrens the Naturalnorthernmost Area.

longleaf pine community on deep sand terraces. Numerous tar kilns and areaturpentine over several stumps years. are of archeological value. There are well-documented botanical studies from the 1930s when Harvard botanists explored the Restoration Goals: Planting of northern-source longleaf is planned in

numerous rare plant species, at least one formerly listed as eliminated informer the state. loblolly plantations. Regular prescribed burns have restored

š

Big Woods Wildlife Management Area Landowner:

Location: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF)

Size/Description:Wakefield, 2,200 Sussex acres County of former International Paper Company

Longleaftimberland Pine acquired Acreage/Description: by DGIF in 2010. Carolina seedlings in 2009 in a recently harvested loblolly pine stand. 42 acres were planted with North Restoration Goals:

successional species.The property is managed primarily for pine savanna habitat to benefit the red-cockaded woodpecker, quail and other early-

12 Big Woods State Forest Sandy Point State Forest Zoar State Forest Landowner: Virginia Department of Forestry

Location:

Wakefield, Sussex County; King William, King William Size/Description:County; Aylett, King William County of predominantly loblolly pine plantation formerly owned by Big Woods State Forest contains 2,200 acres 2,043 acres of mixed pine/hardwood, including 470 acres of International Paper Company. Sandy Point State Forest contains on 378 acres. In addition, VDOF maintains a longleaf pine seed wetlands. Zoar State Forest contains mixed pine/hardwood stands

Longleaforchard at Pineits New Acreage/Description: Kent Forestry Center. 68 acres planted at Big

Forest. Both plantings were in former loblolly pine stands. An Woods State Forest in 2009; 47 acres planted at Sandy Point State beyond 2013. additional five acres are planned for planting on Zoar State Forest Restoration Goals: available, additional acres of longleaf pine will be planted on the state As suitable sites are identified and seedlings are longleaf can be managed on private lands in addition to helping expand its rangeforests. across These key stands conservation will be areas. used to demonstrate to landowners how › Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Landowner:

Location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Size/Description: City of Suffolk, 112,000 City ofacres Chesapeake of predominantly-forested dominatedwetlands. Well-drainedby loblolly pine/mixed soils along hardwood the Dismal forest. Swamp’s Approximately Suffolk 300Scarp acres boundary of refuge historically is considered supported suitable longleaf for longleaf. pine and are now

Longleaf Pine Acreage/Description: 30 acres of longleaf pine planted in 2011.

Restoration Goals: loblolly pine stands areAdditional harvested. acreage along the Suffolk Scarp will be planted with longleaf as existing

13 Joseph Pines Preserve Landowner:

Location: Disputanta, Meadowview Prince Biological George County Research Station

Size/Description: 232-acre preserve dedicated to the restoration of longleaf pine and pitcher-plant communities.

Longleaf Pine Acreage/Description: 46 acres of longleaf pine planted between 2001 and 2009. All longleaf pine seedlings were

propagated from Virginia native seed. Stands are managed with Restorationannual growing Goals: season prescribed fire. longleaf pine on a protected, managed property within its historic range. To represent the genetic variation of native Virginia

andTo restore habitat uplandsfor a minimum and wetlands of 18 rare using plants a combination and three animals of chemical as part and of integratedmechanical ecosystem methods combined restoration. with prescribed fire. To provide safe harbor š

Owen Tract and Raccoon Creek Pinelands Landowner:

Location: William Owen and The Nature Conservancy

Size/Description: Yale, Sussex 1,800 County acres of loblolly and longleaf pine plantation on well-drained sands. 1,400 acres are protected under a conservation

Longleafeasement Pine with Acreage/Description:The Nature Conservancy. project in Virginia, 830 total acres with plantings spanning 2003-2013, The largest longleaf pine restoration approximately three-year rotation. all in former loblolly pine stands. Longleaf pine treated with fire on Restoration Goals: Under terms of the conservation easement, the entire property will transition to longleaf pine as loblolly pine stands are harvested.

14 Piney Grove Preserve Landowner:

Location: The Nature Conservancy

Size/Description:Wakefield, 3,200-acre Sussex County preserve of predominantly older-growth loblolly pine managed for pine savanna habitat to support the federally- endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, Virginia’s rarest bird species.

Longleaf Pine Acreage/Description: 150 acres of thinned 30-year-old loblolly pine underplanted with longleaf pine in 2012-2013. Stands will Restorationtransition to 100Goals: percent Longleaf longleaf pine pine areas after willfinal harvestbe regularly of loblolly burned pine. to canopy gaps occur. establish herbaceous understory; additional acreage will be planted when

›

Westervelt Tract Landowner:

Location: The Westervelt Company

Size/Description: Wakefield, Sussex County Paper Company timberland dominated by loblolly pine plantations. Several thousand acres of former International

The property lies adjacent to Big Woods State Forest and Big Woods LongleafWildlife Management Pine Acreage/Description: Area. 192 acres planted with

RestorationNorth Carolina Goals: seedlings Longleaf in 2012-2013; pine acreage25 acres plantedwill be in burned 2004. otherperiodically partners. under a management agreement with The Nature Conservancy (TNC). Additional acreage may be planted in coordination with TNC and

15 Special Programs

Longleaf Pine Restoration State-Sponsored Landowner on Private Lands Assistance Programs Virginia Reforestation of in Virginia’s historic longleaf range through the Timberlands (RT) Program Forest industry owned significant forested acres

1990s. Major industrial owners included Union products tax on pine timber and by general state funds. Started in 1970, this program is funded by a forest ofCamp this Corporationland has since (later been International sold to timber Paper), investment Gray Administered by VDOF, the program provides private organizations,Lumber Company conservation and Champion organizations, International. public Much landowners with a reimbursement for a portion of site agencies or private landowners. Incentives for long- preparation, tree planting and follow-up vegetation term forest management have been widely used to help owners overcome the initial investment hurdle reforestation or improvement projects have been completedcontrol. More over than the 1.6life millionof the program. acres and Beginning 40,000 pine in is particularly important for longleaf pine, where 2004, VDOF added a practice that included longleaf of forest establishment and early maintenance. This pine planting or site preparation and longleaf planting. traditional loblolly pine reforestation. Both state- and Incentive rates for these practices were roughly double federally-sponsoredestablishment costs programs are significantly that support higher thanlongleaf for pine work are described below. Additionally, the VDOF, that of loblolly pine planting. Other programs (listed below) have developed with higher incentive rates and, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and private while still available, RT is less utilized for longleaf. consultingUSDA Natural foresters Resources provide Conservation professional Service, assistance Virginia to Virginia Department of Forestry’s landowners in longleaf establishment. Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program private lands over time. It is not uncommon to see longleaf There have been some plantings of longleaf pine on pine of varying ages and sizes in yards and along property In 2003, the USDA Forest Service Office of State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection began the from farther south. Plantings were rare before 2000, but asSouthern state Pineforestry Beetle agencies (SPB) Prevention with implementing and Restoration pine beganlines. Theseto increase were around most likely 2004. brought As of 2013, or transplanted there have silviculturalProgram to assistpractices the Nationalthat prevent Forest and system mitigate as wellthe been approximately 4,400 acres of plantings on private annual funding, VDOF created a state-wide Pine impacts of the southern pine beetle. With significant land. The average planting is 26 acres, ranging from a few Bark Beetle Prevention Program in 2004, which has trees to 300 acres in size. The plantings are concentrated in southeast Virginia (south of the James River and east of Interstate 95), but there has been interest in the Coastal Plain north of the James and some lands in the southeast Piedmont. However, southeast Virginia remains the focus area (Figure 3).

16 emphasized pre-commercial thinning of pine forests Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP), in the form of cost-share assistance for non-industrial an NRCS Program: cost assistance to landowners for establishment and practices are applied to loblolly and Virginia pines management practices, The including EQIP programsite preparation, provides private forest (NIPF) landowners. Almost all of these planting, release and burning. Payments to landowners in Virginia. are based on 75 percent of regional average costs and, (rarely white pine), the primary pine plantation species therefore, are higher for longleaf than for other pine pine, which is much more resistant to the southern pine beetleAn additional as well as SPB numerous prevention other tactic insect is andto plant disease longleaf pests species. There have been two dedicated EQIP funding that plague loblolly, Virginia and other pine plantation allocations for longleaf pine. In May of 2012, $26,000 species. In addition, because longleaf pine is more allocatedwas contracted for longleaf. for longleaf pine work (two projects for resistant to blow-down, breakage and lean from wind 51 acres). In early 2013, more than $200,000 has been and ice storms, secondary pest problems that can result Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), USDA Farm from this injury may be less prevalent in longleaf pine Services Agency (FSA): on protecting land and enhancing wildlife habitat has supported planting of longleaf on appropriate sites on cropland. Participants The generally CRP program receive isa focusedsign-up forests. Therefore, Virginia’s SPB Prevention Program incentive, cost assistance on practice installation and an 2005-2013. In addition to planting support, the Program alsoby way provided of cost-share assistance assistance for site to preparation,NIPF landowners herbicide from programsannual rental that payment have targeted for either longleaf 10 orpine 15 restoration: years. NRCS of plantation establishment, in acknowledgment of the assists FSA with the programs. There have been two CRP release or burning treatments during the first five years SS assisted in the establishment of 385 acres on 19 CRP Longleaf Pine Initiative (Practice CP36). This hasgreater helped difficulties restore inand successfully manage more establishing than 1,000 longleaf acres sites. ofpine. longleaf To date, pine, cost-share including assistance several major under plantings this program now SS

Conservancy. establishmentState Acres for of 362 Wildlife acres on Enhancement 14 sites. (SAFE, under protection and management by The Nature Practice CP38). This has resulted in the Federally-Sponsored Landowner Partners for Fish and Wildlife, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Assistance Programs Service: longleaf helped with initial work on the Owen property This incentive program to landowners for restoration. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Sussex County, a concentration for longleaf pine has(NRCS) focused has efforts taken on an training, active roleoutreach in longleaf and targeted pine Partnerships on Private Land: fundingrestoration that efforts has resulted both nationally in increases and inin Virginia. longleaf NRCSpine. plummeted in recent years in Virginia. Longleaf pine Quail populations have

NRCS has developed guidelines (job sheets Practice and it associated management (low stocking, open, #643), to be used with USDA cost assistance programs. wildlifefrequent biologists burning) focused provides on habitat early successional favorable to habitat quail. WildlifeThese include Habitat WHIP, Improvement EQIP and CRP. Program (WHIP), NRCS partnered with the DGIF in 2010 to hire five an NRCS program: is located in southeast Virginia and emphasizes longleaf many wildlife habitat values, longleaf pine is one of for Virginia’s Quail Action Plan. One of these biologists Since the longleaf ecosystem has pine as an element of quail habitat restoration. five priorities in the Virginia WHIP Plan. In 2007 and approximately2008, WHIP provided 400 acres 100 percentof longleaf cost sharerestoration. (essential In habitat) for longleaf pine establishment, resulting in or management. 2010, WHIP assisted owners with 369 acres of planting

17 Longleaf on Private Land: Two case Studies As noted previously, landowners are becoming interested in

Billlongleaf Owen, pine. Here Sussex are two noteworthy County examples: Landowner Bill Owen has the largest acreage of longleaf pine in

aVirginia. one-acre Mr. project, Owen sought followed to doby something15 acres indifferent 2005, 180than acres loblolly in pine on his family’s property near Yale. So, in 2002, he began with

management2006 and 105 tools acres to in do 2009; this, Mr. including Owen then site plantedpreparation, another release 100 acres of longleaf pine in Surry County. He has utilized many forest

and several prescribed burns. He takes an active role in planning and management on the property. Six agencies have cooperated with Mr. Owen. Funding for the initial project was provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Virginia NRCS cost assistance and the VDOF SPB Prevention Program have helped on the larger projects. DCR and DGIF have provided technical assistance as well. Finally, Mr. Owen has donated a conservation easement to The Nature Conservancy on this 1,400 acres of family land and is in negotiations with TNC for an easement on an adjoining 450 acres. This is the core for TNC’s Raccoon Creek Pinelands Conservation Area. In 2013, Mr. Owen planted an additional 525 acres of longleaf pine – 400 acres with NRCS funding and 125 acres with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Norfolk Southern Foundation – making this by far the largest 2009concentration for his efforts. of longleaf in Virginia. Mr. Owen is a model landowner and was recognized with the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award in š Wright’s Island Sportsmen’s Club, James City County Wright’s Island has been owned by a group of individuals who have enjoyed hunting and the woods since 1910. It is located on the east side of

Forester William ‘Billy’ Apperson had a long working relationship with the Chickahominyowners and custodian River, not of too the far property. from Williamsburg. When it was Retired time to VDOF harvest Area a loblolly pine stand on a sandy, level site near the river, Billy recommended longleaf pine. Following harvest, the area was prepared and planted with

private,longleaf non-industry in 1998 and land. subsequently burned several times. The Wright’s Island site is one of the first of the longleaf pine restoration projects on

18 Northern Range Extension for Longleaf Pine

The natural range of longleaf pine is in southeast Virginia, with very few remnant trees. There is speculation and recentdiscussion plantings regarding in the longleaf northern on theCoastal Eastern Plain Shore and oras north of the James River. There have been a number of migrationfar west as of Halifax southern County species in thewith Piedmont. changing Thereclimate. is considerable scientific discussion about the northern ofHow longleaf will longleaf pine planted pine grow outside and reactof its farthernative north?range. CitizensTo predict have this, been it maymoving be longleaf helpful topine look north at examplesfor years. Longleaf can be found in yards and homesteads in many areas in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont, ofincluding snow and the ice Richmond damage and and Fredericksburg can be crooked. areas. But, thereMany areof these also examples open-grown of longleaf trees show with thegood effects form grown outside of their native range.

Perhaps the best and oldest example of longleaf established outside of its native range is in Albemarle County on the Virginia Department of Forestry Headquarters Shop property in approximatelyCharlottesville (photos550 feet taken in elevation 2013). This and western about 80Piedmont miles northwest site (38.02357º of the nearest N -78.53365º point on W) the is was originally used as a tree seedling nursery. AroundEberhardt, the etnursery al. (2011) beds, test longleaf plantings range of map.a number It of trees not native to the area were established. One block formincluded of approximately longleaf pine 50 according dominants to ranging a map datedfrom 70 May to 1051934. feet Some in height of the and original about longleaf 16 to 30 still inches survives in diameter in the good on many of the remaining trees, many averaging twoat breast to three height merchantable (DBH). Despite logs. someWhile mortality, the biggest form trees is were too large to be cored with a standard increment

It’sborer, possible core samples some of fromlarger some trees smaller on the siteones date (under back 22 to inches DBH) revealed an approximate age of 60 years. success of this stand demonstrates that longleaf will survivethe original and 1934grow planting.fairly well Regardless this far out of oftree its age, the native range.

19 The Future... Goals And Challenges

longleaf restoration is follow-up management, particularly fascinating. Interest and investment in preserving the fewThe remaining story of longleaf longleaf and pine restoring in Virginia it has grown is long and and is cornerstone of the longleaf ecosystem management. It prescribed burning. Regular and frequent burning is a have longleaf restoration as part of their strategic goals. capacity so that burning becomes part of the expectation now well-established. Many agencies and organizations will be necessary to develop the structure, financing and tree and its ecosystem are desirable in many ways and management will be a continual and growing issue, due forSo, whatmany does reasons. the future Because hold of for this, longleaf private in Virginia? landowners The toand the culture expected of population forest management increase in in eastern the area. Virginia. Smoke and natural resource agencies and organizations will likely continue to expand efforts in longleaf restoration. Landowners and organizations with a heavy focus on will be a factor in decision making, particularly for large wildlife, aesthetics and ecological The short-term economicsowners of andloblolly timber versus managementlongleaf pine diversity will be most active. Longleaf investment organizations. Over time, is growing well in the Coastal Plain timber supply and capacity may and into the southeastern Piedmont. many recent changes in the forest north of the James, the Eastern Shore industrybecome anin the issue. area There that havewill affect been seems natural and desirable. Expansion of longleaf into these areas a paper mill have closed while wood What are the challenges and energy,landowner pulp decisions. and pellet Sawmills plants andare opportunities? As noted, the majority of the forestland in the native range and potential range expansion is opening. These signal the need for private. Private landowners have maymany produce. tons of fiber,Commercial not pine pine poles straw or diverse goals and abilities to invest. production,high-quality a sawlogs key component that longleaf of more limited in extent. Because of not yet started in Virginia. this,However, creating public a longleaf-dominated lands are much longleaf economics in the South, has

restoration be in Virginia? One goal, amonglandscape agencies of large and sizeconservation will be quite organizations can go far suggested in the VDOFSo, whatoperational should planthe goal of 2008 for longleaf was to: difficult. However, coordinated efforts been strong federal interest and funding for longleaf pine restoration.at connecting Private core areas funding and increasing sources are benefits. also becomingThere has “Maintain longleaf pine on the landscape as an operational more available. Dedicated, long-term investments will be forest type.” There are a number of inferences here that needed, particularly with private landowners, due to the could be expanded to be wider in scope. “Maintain” toimplies meet that needs, restoration whether will it isoccur. for game“Landscape” populations implies for a hunting,wide area. needles “Operational” for straw, implies timber, that or there rare willor threatened be enough high up-front cost of establishment. There is strong initial isinterest generally by private a transition owners, period often calledwith new the “earlyinitiatives adopters” until andthey those will willing become to try fully new adapted and different and operationalpractices. There and goal,species how protection. much and where “Forest will type” rest with implies those theinterested forest more routine for larger numbers of owners. inecosystem longleaf is in associated Virginia withand athose dominant dedicated tree species. to its The restoration. Collaboration and cooperation may be needed as this happens. will be the key to setting and Expanded funding and technical assistance achieving meaningful goals A real challenge to that will meet resource successful needs.

20 Literature Cited

pine grown in Virginia: a provenance test. Pg.17. In: Charlottesville,Creighton, J., VA. Bowman, Page 6. www.dof.virginia.gov W. and Bitoki, O. 2009. Johnsen, K., Creighton, J. and Maier, C. 2013. Longleaf Forest Research Review. Virginia Dept. of Forestry, Abstracts 17th Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference. Shreveport, LA: Louisiana Tech University Charlottesville,Creighton, J., VA. Bowman, Pp. 9-10. W. www.dof.virginia.gov and Bitoki, O. 2011. and USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station. Forest Research Review. Virginia Dept. of Forestry, Little Jr., E. L. 1971, Atlas of United States Trees, volume maps.1, conifers and important hardwoods: U.S. Department pineEberhardt, timber Thomas and its applicationL., Sheridan, to P. southernM. and Bhuta, pine A.A.R..relicts of Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication 1146, 9 p., 200 2011. Revivification of a method for identifying longleaf gymnosperms of the Delmarva Peninsula, an annotated in southeastern Virginia. Can. J. For. Res. 41: 2440–2447. McAvoy, W. A. 2007. The lycophytes, monilophytes and Patterns of longleaf pine genetic diversity. Poster Echt, C., Josserand, S., Hipkins, V. and Crane, B. 2012. checklist. The Maryland Naturalist 48: 1-48. A Census of Longleaf Pine in Virginia. Pp. 154-162. In: presented at The Longleaf Alliance 2012 Conference Sheridan, P., Scrivani, J., Penick, N., Simpson, A. 1999. Program: Longleaf, as far as The Eye Can See. October 23-26, 2012. Nacogdoches, TX. Kush, John S., comp. Longleaf Pine: A Forward Look, proceedings of the second Longleaf Alliance conference; Echt, C. “Virginia longleaf collections for DNA”. Email to 1998 November 17-19; Charleston, SC. Longleaf Alliance J.Frost, L. Creighton. C. C. 1993. May Four 8, 2013. centuries of changing landscape Report No. 4. patterns in the longleaf pine ecosystem. Pp.17-43 In: grasslandVan Lear, D. ecosystem: H., Carroll, W.Implications D., Kapeluck, for P. speciesR. and Johnson, at risk. R. 2005. History and restoration of the longleaf pine- Herman, S.H., ed. The Longleaf Pine Ecosystem: ecology, restoration and management. Proceedings of the Tall Forest Ecology and Management 211, 150-165. Timbers Fire Ecology Conference, No. 18. Forests 9: 583-584, 618. Greene, S. W. 1931. The forest that fire made. American GI N VI R IA Virginia Department of Forestry 900 Natural Resources Drive, Suite 800 Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 Phone: (434) 977-6555 www.dof.virginia.gov VDOF P00212; 01/2014 This institution is an equal opportunity provider.