EAST TEXAS PINE TREES!

The new layout requires some more realistic trees right along with the prototypical buildings and trains. Let’s look at the trees that we will need first on the TWMRC.

Time to take a look around and see what is new and what is available and what we will need to make ourselves. One of the major players in scenery is of course, Woodland Scenics. They have hundreds of products for grass, water, weeds, rocks, ballast, and anything else you may need. Another major player emerging today is Scenic Express with their “Super Trees” and several other outstanding products. You will also see custom built trees for sale at many of the train shows that are beautiful…and very expensive (I have seen them for as much as $12 each!). We need in the neighborhood of 350-500 pine trees for the logging area, which we can build for $1 or less per tree with our tree making machine and some craft work. The bulk of the trees will be in the background of the scenes and those are the ones we will make first as we learn skills. The foreground trees will need additional detailing, and better detail which will tend to make the viewer believe all of the trees are so detailed.

One thing we need to constantly keep in mind is scale. While many trees in the east Texas region reached heights of over 115’ for pines, these are not average size; rather they are the upper growth limits. And the main rule is still what looks correct; we selectively reduce buildings, yards, train length, and many other structures, why not trees? Typically if we have reduced the size of a building to 8” long and 6” high and then put a 80’ Oak tree next to the building it will look out of scale and make the scene appear “off”. Size the trees to the scene and make them of the correct shape, color, and type for the area to be believable. However, in our instance of creating a pine forest for our logging area, we want the trees to dwarf the small logging engines and portray the true task that loggers faced. Look at the chart for pine tree heights that I printed and you will see the relationship between the trunks, percentage of foliage and diameter of the tree. Trunk diameters are equally important to keep your tree from having a “girth” issues. Long leaf pine trees reached diameters of 28” and heights of 115’, but again that is the upper limits of the species. Loblolly pines were more robust and had diameters up to 60” while still maintaining heights of 115’.

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 Let’s make trees! Here are some tools and items you will need:

• Pair of good wire cutters • Pair of craft scissors – Harbor Freight sells some good ones cheaply • Some plastic gloves to wear when spray painting – NEVER SPRAY PAINT INSIDE THE BUILDING…NOT EVEN ONE TREE! • Exacto knife with extra #11 blades, or a sharp carving tool of your choice • A wood rasp – a very rough file for quickly removing wood. • A pin vise or power drill with a 7/64” drill bit. This size is based on the finished twisted wire diameter and size of a #3 finish nail. • Bottle of glue- you can use CA or white glue, your choice. I am impatient, so I use CA. • Piece of foam insulation, please choose one from the scrap pile. • Dark gray automotive primer – there is a can at the club to use currently. • Dark red automotive primer – there is a can at the club to use currently. o If you empty one of the cans, please go to a nearby store and purchase a new can of the same color. We are big people, we can do this without BOD direction and permission so the process can continue. • The tree table with the McKinsey tree-making machine. The machine is permanently screwed to the table (mine) to make using it easier; please leave it there and do not remove it! • A broom to clean up the mess when you are done. And there WILL be a mess, this is not a tidy task.

*Model Railroader has articles on tree making for various species in the following issues: • November 1989 • October 1992 • May 1995 • July 1995 • September 1997 • February 1999 • October 1999 • June 2000 • September 2003 • May 2005 • November 2005 • February 2006 • October 2006

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015

Long leaf pine found in East Texas in the late 1800’s

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015

Loblolly pine found in East Texas in the late 1800’s

There were also short leaf pine, but not is as great of quantities. They were roughly the same size as the long leaf however, and are one of the main species harvested currently. Note, none of these look like our Christmas trees or the ones we had on the past layout. New trees are needed!

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 Pinus palustris

Pinus palustris, commonly known as the longleaf pine, are formed during a relatively short period of time in Au- is a pine native to the southeastern United States, found gust. Pollination occurs early the following spring, with along the coastal plain from eastern Texas to southeast the male cones 3–8 cm (1.2–3.1 in) long. The female Virginia, extending into northern and central Florida.[2] (seed) cones mature in about twenty months from polli- The Longleaf Pine Is Historically native to Maryland and nation; when mature they are yellow-brown in color, 15– Delaware 25 cm (5.9–9.8 in) long, and 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) broad, opening to 12 cm (4.7 in), and have a small, but sharp, It reaches a height of 30–35 m (98–115 ft) and a diameter of 0.7 m (28 in). In the past, they reportedly grew to 47 downward-pointing spine on the middle of each scale. m (154 ft) with a diameter of 1.2 m (47 in). The seeds are 7–9 mm (0.28–0.35 in) long, with a 25– 40 mm (0.98–1.57 in) wing. The bark is thick, reddish-brown, and scaly. The leaves are dark green and needle-like, and occur in bundles of Longleaf pine takes 100 to 150 years to become full size three. They often are twisted and 20–45 cm (7.9–17.7 and may live to 500 years old. When young, they grow in) in length. It is one of the two southeastern U.S. pines a long taproot, which usually is 2–3 m (6.6–9.8 ft) long; with long needles, the other being slash pine. by maturity they have a wide spreading lateral root sys- tem with several deep 'sinker' roots. It grows on well- drained, usually sandy soil, often in pure stands. In north- ern Alabama, it sometimes occurs on clay soil. The scien- tific name meaning, “of marshes,” is a misunderstanding on the part of Philip Miller who described the species, after seeing longleaf pine forests with temporary winter flooding. Longleaf pine also is known as being one of several species grouped as a southern yellow pine[3] or longleaf yellow pine, and in the past as pitch pine (a name dropped as it caused confusion with pitch pine, Pinus rigida).

1 Ecology

Longleaf pine needles from a 30 m specimen near Tallahassee, Florida

The cones, both female seed cones (ovulate strobili) and Longleaf pine: 'grass stage' seedling, near Georgetown, South male pollen cones (staminate strobili), are initiated dur- Carolina ing the growing season before buds emerge. Pollen cones begin forming in their buds in July, while seed conelets Longleaf pine is highly pyrophytic (resistant to wildfire).

1 Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 2 3 NATIVE RANGE, RESTORATION, AND PROTECTION

Periodic natural wildfire selects for this species by killing America, as part of the eastern savannas. These forests other trees, leading to open longleaf pine forests or were the source of naval stores - resin, turpentine, and savannas. New seedlings do not appear at all tree-like and timber - needed by merchants and the navy for their ships. resemble a dark green fountain of needles. This form is They have been cutover since for timber and usually re- called the grass stage. During this stage, which lasts for placed with faster-growing loblolly pine and slash pine, 5–12 years, vertical growth is very slow, and the tree may for agriculture, and for urban and suburban development. take a number of years simply to grow ankle-high. Af- Due to this deforestation and over-harvesting, only about ter that it makes a growth spurt, especially if there is no 3% of the original longleaf pine forest remains, and little tree canopy above it. In the grass stage, it is very resis- new is planted. Longleaf pine is available, however, at tant to grass fires, which burn off the ends of the needles, many nurseries within its range; the southernmost known but the fire cannot penetrate the tightly-packed needle point of sale is in Lake Worth, Florida. bases to reach the bud. While relatively immune to fire, The yellow, resinous wood is used for lumber and pulp. at this stage, the plant is quite appealing to feral pigs, and Boards cut years ago from virgin timber were very wide, the early settlers’ habit of releasing swine into the wood- up to 1 m (3.3 ft), and a thriving salvage business ob- lands to feed was greatly responsible for the decline of the tains these boards from demolition projects to be reused species. as flooring in upscale homes. Longleaf pine forests are rich in biodiversity. They are The extremely long needles are popular for use in the an- well-documented for their high levels of plant diversity, cient craft of coiled basket making. in groups including sedges, grasses, carnivorous plants and orchids.[4][5] These forests also provide habitat for The stumps and taproots of old trees become saturated gopher tortoises, which, as keystone species, dig burrows with resin and will not rot. Farmers sometimes find old that provide habitat for hundreds of other species of an- buried stumps in fields, even in some that were cleared imals. The red-cockaded woodpecker is dependent on a century ago, and these usually are dug up and sold as mature pine forests and is now endangered as a result Fatwood, “fat lighter” or “lighter wood” which is in de- of this decline. Longleaf pine seeds are large and nutri- mand as kindling for fireplaces, wood stoves, and barbe- tious, forming a significant food source for birds (notably cue pits. In old growth pine the heartwood of the bole the brown-headed nuthatch) and other wildlife. There is often saturated in the same way. When boards are are 9 salamander species and 26 frog species that are cut from the fat lighter wood, they are very heavy and characteristic of pine savannas, along with 56 species of will not rot, but buildings constructed of them are quite reptiles, 13 of which could be considered specialists on flammable and make extremely hot fires. [6] this habitat. The longleaf pine is the official state tree of Alabama and The Red Hills Region of Florida and Georgia is home to North Carolina.[7][8] and the longleaf pine specifically is some of the best preserved stands of longleaf pine. These lauded in the official state toast.[9] forests have been burned regularly for many decades to encourage bobwhite quail habitat in private hunting plan- tations. 3 Native Range, Restoration, and Protection 2 Uses Before European settlement, longleaf pine forest dom- inated as much as 90,000,000 acres (360,000 km2) stretching from Virginia south to Florida and west to eastern Texas. Its range was defined by the frequent widespread fires that occurred throughout the south- east. In the late 19th century, these virgin timber stands were “among the most sought after timber trees in the country.” This rich ecosystem now has been relegated to less than 5% of its pre-settlement range due to clear cut- ting practices:

As they stripped the woods of their trees, loggers left mounds of flammable debris that frequently fueled catastrophic fires, destroying Pinus palustris both the remaining trees and seedlings. The exposed earth left behind by clear cutting op- Vast forests of longleaf pine once were present along erations was highly susceptible to erosion, and the southeastern Atlantic coast and Gulf Coast of North nutrients were washed from the already porous

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 3

soils. This further destroyed the natural seed- ing process. At the peak of the timber cutting in the 1890s and the first decade of the new century, the longleaf pine forests of the Sand- hills were providing millions of board feet of timber each year. The timber cutters gradually moved across the South; by the 1920s, most of the “limitless” virgin longleaf pine forests were gone.

In "pine barrens" most of the day. Low, level, sandy tracts; the pines wide apart; the sunny spaces between full of beautiful abound- ing grasses, liatris, long, wand-like solidago, saw palmettos, etc., covering the ground in gar- Naturally regenerated longleaf pines in DeSoto National Forest, Mississippi den style. Here I sauntered in delightful free- dom, meeting none of the cat-clawed vines, or shrubs, of the alluvial bottoms. -John Muir acres (217 km2) in the long term. In addition to Longleaf restoration, prescribed burning will enhance the endan- Efforts are being made to restore longleaf pine ecosys- gered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers’ preferred habitat of tems within its natural range. Some groups such as the open, park-like stands, provide habitat for wildlife depen- Longleaf Alliance are actively promoting research, edu- dent on grass-shrub habitat, which is very limited, and cation, and management of the longleaf pine.[10] reduce the risk of damaging wildfires.[13] The USDA offers cost-sharing and technical assistance Since the 1960s, Longleaf restoration has been ongoing to private landowners for longleaf restoration through on almost 95,000 acres of state and federal land in the the NRCS Longleaf Pine Initiative. Similar programs sandhills region of South Carolina, between the piedmont are available through most state forestry agencies in and coastal plain. The region is characterized by deep, in- the longleaf’s native range. In August 2009, the Al- fertile sands deposited by a prehistoric sea, with generally abama Forestry Commission received 1.757 million dol- arid conditions. By the 1930s, most of the native lon- lars in stimulus money to restore longleaf pines in state gleaf had been logged, and the land was heavily eroded. forests.[11] Between 1935-1939, the federal government purchased large portions of this area from local landowners as a There are four large core areas within the range of relief measure under the Resettlement Administration. the species that provide the opportunity to protect These landowners were resettled on more fertile land else- the biological diversity of the coastal plain, as well where. Today, the South Carolina Sand Hills State Forest as to restore wilderness areas east of the Mississippi comprises approximately half of the acreage, and half is River.[12] Each of these four (Eglin Air Force Base: owned by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service as 187,000+ ha; Apalachicola National Forest: 228,000+ the adjacent Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. ha; Okefenokee-Osceola: 289,000+ ha; De Soto National At first, restoration of forest cover was the goal. Fire sup- Forest: 200,000+ ha) have nearby lands that offer the po- pression was practiced until the 1960s, when prescribed tential to expand the total protected territory for each area fire was introduced on both the state forest[14] and the to well beyond 500,000 ha. These areas would provide Sandhills NWR [15][16] as part of the restoration of the the opportunity not only to restore forest stands, but to re- longleaf/wiregrass ecosystem. store populations of native vertebrate animals threatened by landscape fragmentation. A 2009 study by the National Wildlife Federation says that longleaf pine forests will be particularly well adapted Notable eccentric populations exist within the Uwharrie to environmental changes caused by global warming. [17] National Forest in the central Piedmont region of North Carolina. These have survived owing to relative inac- cessibility and, in one instance, intentional protection in the 20th century by a private landowner (a property now 4 See also owned and conserved by the Land Trust of Central North Carolina). • Longleaf Pine Ecosystem The United States Forest Service is conducting prescribed burning programs in the 258,864-acre Francis Marion • Sonderegger Pine, a hybrid between loblolly and National Forest, located outside of Charleston, South longleaf species Carolina. They are hoping to increase the longleaf pine forest type to 44,700 acres (181 km2) by 2017 and 53,500 • Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 4 6 REFERENCES

5 Notes [17] “Restoring roots of Southeast: Environmental benefits, quality of wood touted”. The (Charleston, SC) Post and [1] Farjon, A. (2011). "Pinus palustris". IUCN Red List of Courier. 2009-12-12. Retrieved 2009-12-12. Threatened Species. Version 3.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 2013-11-10. 6 References [2] “Longleaf Pine Range Map”. A Wilderness of Longleaf Pine. Retrieved 2009-04-04. • “A Toast” to North Carolina., January 1957, re- [3] Moore, Gerry; Kershner, Bruce; Craig Tufts; Daniel trieved 2009-04-04 Mathews; Gil Nelson; Spellenberg, Richard; Thieret, John W.; Terry Purinton; Block, Andrew (2008). National • Vanderbilt University, Department of Biological Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North Amer- Sciences. “Bioimages - Pinus palustris”. Bioimages. ica. New York: Sterling. p. 75. ISBN 1-4027-3875-7. Retrieved 2009-04-04. [4] Peet, R. K. and D. J Allard. 1993. Longleaf pine veg- • “Pinus palustris description”. The Gymnosperm etation of the southern Atlantic and eastern Gulf coast Database. Retrieved 2009-04-04. regions: a preliminary classification. pp. 45–81. In S. M. Hermann (ed.) Proceedings of the Tall Timbers Fire • Pinus palustris description, retrieved 2009-04-04 Ecology Conference. No. 18. The Longleaf Pine Ecosys- tem: Ecology, Restoration, and Management. Florida: • “Pinus palustris in Flora of North America @ eflo- Tall Timbers Research Station. ras.org”. Flora of North America. Retrieved 2009- 04-04. [5] Keddy, P.A., L. Smith, D.R. Campbell, M. Clark and G. Montz. 2006. Patterns of herbaceous plant diversity in • Pinus palustris in Flora of North America @ eflo- southeastern Louisiana pine savannas. Applied Vegetation ras.org, retrieved 2009-04-04 Science 9:17-26. • State tree, January 1963, retrieved 2009-04-04 [6] Means, D. Bruce. 2006. Vertebrate faunal diversity in longleaf pine savannas. Pages 155-213 in S. Jose, E. • “Tall Timbers”. Retrieved 2009-04-04. Jokela and D. Miller (eds.) Longleaf Pine Ecosystems: Ecology, Management and Restoration. Springer, New • Outcalt, Kenneth W. (2000). “The Longleaf Pine York. xii + 438 pp. Ecosystem of the South”. Native Plants Journal 1 (1). [7] “Southern Longleaf Pine”. Official Symbols and Emblems of Alabama. Retrieved 2009-04-04. • Ashe, William Willard (1897). The Forests, Forest Lands, and Forest Products of Eastern North Car- [8] http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/ bysection/chapter_145/gs_145-3.html olina. Retrieved 2009-04-04. • [9] North Carolina General Statutes § 149‑2 “North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service - http://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/ Reforestation of North Carolina’s Pines”. 2007-08- html/bysection/chapter_149/gs_149-2.html 14. Retrieved 2009-04-04.

[10] “Longleaf Pine Forests and Longleaf Alliance Home”. • “Longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem”. Carolina Longleaf Alliance. Retrieved 2009-04-04. Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge. Retrieved 2009- 04-04. [11] “Stimulus to fund repopulation of longleaf pines in Al- abama”. The Birmingham News. Retrieved 2009-09-01. • Barnett, James P. (2014). Direct Seeding Southern [12] Keddy, P.A. 2009. Thinking big: A conservation vi- Pines: History and Status of a Technique Developed sion for the Southeastern coastal plain of North America. for Restoring Cutover Forests. Asheville, NC: U.S. Southeastern Naturalist 8: 213-226. Department of Agriculture, Southern Research Sta- [13] “Fiscal Year 2006 Monitoring and Evaluation Annual Re- tion. Retrieved 27 July 2014. port” (PDF). Francis Marion National Forest. United States Forest Service. 2007-09-26. Retrieved 2009-06- 16.

[14] http://www.state.sc.us/forest/refshill.htm. Missing or empty |title= (help)

[15] “Carolina Sandhills NWR History”.

[16] “Refuge to Begin Conducting Prescribed Burns in Febru- ary” (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Re- trieved 2011-12-14.

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 5

7 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

7.1 Text

• Pinus palustris Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus%20palustris?oldid=649909890 Contributors: Nonenmac, Hephaestos, Ixfd64, SEWilco, Pollinator, Naddy, Angilbas, Pengo, MPF, Abigail-II, Bobblewik, Nova, D6, DanielCD, Triona, Peter Greenwell, Viriditas, Deji- tarob, Hesperian, Mandarax, BD2412, Rjwilmsi, Eoghanacht, ElKevbo, Eubot, Vclaw, Gdrbot, Bgwhite, YurikBot, RussBot, Bachrach44, TDogg310, CLW, Ninly, Donald Albury, Shyam, Mmcannis, SmackBot, CelticJobber, Hmains, Gracenotes, Bigturtle, Noles1984, Copy- san, JScott06, Stuartr, Sasata, Baskaufs, ShelfSkewed, Beastie Bot, Cydebot, Thijs!bot, Sonicboi, JAnDbot, Altairisfar, ThanosMadTi- tan23, Tobogganoggin, Gomm, Masebrock, Colchicum, 83d40m, Idioma-bot, Loblolly90, JhsBot, Miguel.v, Waiteja, SieBot, Calliope- jen1, Editore99, Fratrep, ClueBot, Dpnew, Mild Bill Hiccup, Leonard^Bloom, Berean Hunter, Wasrts, Addbot, Favonian, Flakinho, Tide rolls, Nuberger13, Quantumobserver, Luckas-bot, Librsh, Tangopaso, Derigiberble, Retro00064, Kingpin13, Xqbot, Chasethesky, Wonderworld1995268, Benny White, D'ohBot, Pinethicket, Supreme Deliciousness, Cnwilliams, Woodlot, Okielina, EmausBot, Rename- dUser01302013, ChuispastonBot, ClueBot NG, Bped1985, BG19bot, OMudkips, Fdizile, BattyBot, DignitySun53, Iifar, ChrisGualtieri, Nightphoenix90 and Anonymous: 58

7.2 Images

• File:Commons-logo.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Grassstage_8236.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Grassstage_8236.jpg License: CC-BY-SA-3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:LongleafPine.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/de/LongleafPine.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Con- tributors: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by User:Woodlot using CommonsHelper. Original artist: Woodlot at en.wikipedia) • File:Longleaf_Pine01.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Longleaf_Pine01.jpg License: CC-BY-SA- 3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Pinus_palustris_Pengo.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Pinus_palustris_Pengo.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Pinus_palustris_UGA1.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Pinus_palustris_UGA1.jpg License: CC BY 3.0 us Contributors: This image is Image Number 1150076 at Forestry Images, a source for forest health, natural resources and silviculture images operated by The Bugwood Network at the University of Georgia and the USDA Forest Service. Original artist: Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia

7.3 Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 Pinus taeda

Pinus taeda, commonly known as loblolly pine, is one of several pines native to the Southeastern United States, from central Texas east to Florida, and north to Delaware and southern New Jersey.[2] The wood industry classi- fies the species as a southern yellow pine.[3] U.S. For- est Service surveys found that loblolly pine is the second most common species of tree in the United States, after red maple.[4] For its timber, the pine species is regarded as the most commercially important tree in Southeastern US.[5][6][7] The common name loblolly is given because the pine species is found mostly in lowlands and swampy areas.[8] Loblolly pine is the first among over 100 species of Pinus to have its complete genome sequenced. As of March 2014 it is the organism having the largest sequenced genome size. Its genome with 20.15 billion base pairs is seven times larger than that of humans.[9][10]

1 Description

Loblolly pine can reach a height of 30–35 m (98–115 ft) with a diameter of 0.4–1.5 m (1.3–4.9 ft). Exceptional specimens may reach 50 m (160 ft) tall, the largest of the southern pines. Its needles are in bundles of three, sometimes twisted, and measure 12–22 cm (4.7–8.7 in) long; an intermediate length for southern pines, shorter Developing male cones and needles than those of the longleaf pine or slash pine, but longer than those of the shortleaf pine and spruce pine. The nee- dles usually last up to two years before they fall, which gives the species its evergreen character. Although some needles fall throughout the year due to severe weather, insect damage, and drought, most needles fall during the autumn and winter of their second year. The seed cones are green, ripening pale buff-brown, 7–13 cm (2.8–5.1 in) in length, 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) broad when closed, opening to 4–6 cm (1.6–2.4 in) wide, each scale bearing a sharp 3–6 mm spine.[2][11] The tallest loblolly pine currently known, which is 51.4 m (169 ft) tall, and the largest, which measures 42 cubic meters in volume, are in Congaree National Park.[12] Mature unopened female cones

boiled in a pot. In the southern United States, the word 2 Taxonomy and naming is used to mean “a mudhole; a mire,” a sense derived from an allusion to the consistency of porridge. Hence The word loblolly is a combination of lob, referring to the pine is named as it is generally (but not exclusively) thick heavy bubbling of cooking porridge, and lolly, an found in lowlands and swampy areas.[8] Loblolly pines old British dialect word for broth, soup, or any other food grow well in acidic clay soil, which is common throughout

1 Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 2 7 REFERENCES the South, and are thus often found in large stands in rural ice storms better.[16] places. Other old names, now rarely used, include oldfield pine, due to its status as an early colonizer of abandoned fields; bull pine, due to its size (several other yellow pines 4 Notable trees are also often so named, especially large isolated spec- imens); rosemary pine, due to loblolly’s distinctive fra- The famous "Eisenhower Tree" on the 17th hole of grance compared to the other southern pines; and North Augusta National Golf Club was a loblolly pine. U.S. Carolina pine.[13] President Dwight D. Eisenhower, an Augusta National For the scientific name, Pinus is the Latin name for the member, hit the tree so many times that, at a 1956 club pines and taeda refers to the resinous wood.[14] meeting, he proposed that it be cut down. Not want- ing to offend the President, the club’s chairman, Clif- ford Roberts, immediately adjourned the meeting rather than reject the request outright. In February 2014, an ice storm severely damaged the Eisenhower Tree. The opin- ion of arborists was that the tree could not be saved and should be removed.[17] The “Morris Pine” is located in southeastern Arkansas; it is over 300 years old with a diameter of 142 cm (56 in) and a height of 35.7 m (117 ft).[18]

5 Genome

Pines are the most common conifers and the genus Pinus consists of more than 100 species. Sequencing of their genomes remained a huge challenge because of the high complexity and size.[19] Loblolly pine became the first species with its complete genome sequenced.[9][20] Its genome is the largest of any genome so far known. The whole genome is made up of 20.15 billion base pairs, which is more than seven times that of humans.[10] Conifer genomes are known to be full of repetitive DNA, which make up 82% of the genome in loblolly pine (com- pared to only 25% in humans). The number of genes Bark on a mature tree is estimated at about 50,172, of which 15,653 are al- ready confirmed. Most of the genes are duplicates. Some genes have the longest introns observed among 24 fully [21] 3 Ecology sequenced plant genomes.

With the advent of wildfire suppression, loblolly pine has 6 See also come to prevalence in some parts of the deep south that were once dominated by longleaf pine and, especially in • Sonderegger Pine, a hybrid between loblolly and northern Florida, slash pine.[15] longleaf species The rate of growth is rapid, even among the generally fast-growing southern pines. The yellowish, resinous wood is highly prized for lumber, but is also used for 7 References wood pulp. This tree is commercially grown in extensive plantations.[3] [1] Farjon, A. (2013). "Pinus taeda". IUCN Red List of Loblolly pine is the pine of the Lost Pines Forest around Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. International Union Bastrop, Texas, and in McKinney Roughs along the Texas for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 23 October 2013. Colorado River. These are isolated populations on areas [2] Flora of North America: Pinus taeda of acidic sandy soil, surrounded by alkaline clays that are poor for pine growth. [3] USDA FS: Silvics of Trees of North America: Pinus taeda A study using loblolly pines showed that higher atmo- [4] Nix, Steve. “Ten Most Common Trees in the United spheric carbon dioxide levels may help the trees to endure States”. About.com Forestry. Retrieved 11 January 2013.

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 3

[5] “Loblolly Pine”. Plant Information Center. Retrieved 27 Ross W; Sederoff, Ronald; Wheeler, Nicholas; McGuire, March 2014. Patrick E; Main, Doreen; Loopstra, Carol A; Mockaitis, Keithanne; deJong, Pieter J; Yorke, James A; Salzberg, [6] “Loblolly pine”. Virginia Tech Forestry Department. Re- Steven L; Langley, Charles H (2014). “Decoding the trieved 27 March 2014. massive genome of loblolly pine using haploid DNA and novel assembly strategies”. Genome Biology 15 (3): R59. [7] “Loblolly Pine”. Tree Improvement Programme. Re- doi:10.1186/gb-2014-15-3-r59. PMC 4053751. PMID trieved 27 March 2014. 24647006. [8] The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Lan- [21] Wegrzyn, J. L.; Liechty, J. D.; Stevens, K. A.; Wu, L.- guage (4 ed.). Houghton Mifflin Company. 2000. S.; Loopstra, C. A.; Vasquez-Gross, H. A.; Dougherty, [9] Zimin, A.; Stevens, K. A.; Crepeau, M. W.; Holtz-Morris, W. M.; Lin, B. Y.; Zieve, J. J.; Martinez-Garcia, P. A.; Koriabine, M.; Marcais, G.; Puiu, D.; Roberts, M.; J.; Holt, C.; Yandell, M.; Zimin, A. V.; Yorke, J. Wegrzyn, J. L.; de Jong, P. J.; Neale, D. B.; Salzberg, S. A.; Crepeau, M. W.; Puiu, D.; Salzberg, S. L.; de L.; Yorke, J. A.; Langley, C. H. (2014). “Sequencing and Jong, P. J.; Mockaitis, K.; Main, D.; Langley, C. Assembly of the 22-Gb Loblolly Pine Genome”. Genet- H.; Neale, D. B. (2014). “Unique Features of the ics 196 (3): 875–890. doi:10.1534/genetics.113.159715. Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.) Megagenome Revealed PMC 3948813. PMID 24653210. Through Sequence Annotation”. Genetics 196 (3): 891– 909. doi:10.1534/genetics.113.159996. PMC 3948814. [10] Main, Douglas (20 March 2014). “Scientists Sequence PMID 24653211. The Largest Genome To Date”. Popular Science. A Bon- nier Corporation Company. Retrieved 27 March 2014.

[11] Farjon, A. (2005). Pines. Drawings and descriptions of the genus Pinus, ed.2. Brill, Leiden ISBN 90-04-13916-8.

[12] Gymnosperm Database: Pinus taeda

[13] Moore, Gerry; Kershner, Bruce; Craig Tufts; Daniel Mathews; Gil Nelson; Spellenberg, Richard; Thieret, John W.; Terry Purinton; Block, Andrew (2008). National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North Amer- ica. New York: Sterling. p. 73. ISBN 1-4027-3875-7.

[14] Oklahoma Biological Survey: Pinus taeda L.

[15] Richardson, D. M., & Rundel, P. W. (1998). Ecology and biogeography of Pinus: an introduction. Pages 3–46 in Richardson, D. M., ed. Ecology and biogeography of Pinus. Cambridge University Press ISBN 0-521-55176- 5.

[16] Greenhouse Gas Good for Some Trees - LiveScience.com

[17] “Masters landmark Ike’s Tree suffers major damage, re- moved”. The Augusta Chronicle. February 16, 2014. Re- trieved February 17, 2014.

[18] Bragg, Don C. “The Morris Pine” (PDF). Bulletin of the Eastern Native Tree Society. Volume 1 (Summer 2006): 20. Retrieved 2012-11-13.

[19] Neves, Leandro G.; Davis, John M.; Barbazuk, William B.; Kirst, Matias (2013). “Whole-exome targeted se- quencing of the uncharacterized pine genome”. The Plant Journal 75 (1): 146–156. doi:10.1111/tpj.12193. PMID 23551702.

[20] Neale, David B; Wegrzyn, Jill L; Stevens, Kristian A; Zimin, Aleksey V; Puiu, Daniela; Crepeau, Marc W; Cardeno, Charis; Koriabine, Maxim; Holtz-Morris, Ann E; Liechty, John D; Martínez-García, Pedro J; Vasquez- Gross, Hans A; Lin, Brian Y; Zieve, Jacob J; Dougherty, William M; Fuentes-Soriano, Sara; Wu, Le-Shin; Gilbert, Don; Marçais, Guillaume; Roberts, Michael; Holt, Car- son; Yandell, Mark; Davis, John M; Smith, Kather- ine E; Dean, Jeffrey FD; Lorenz, W Walter; Whetten,

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015 4 8 TEXT AND IMAGE SOURCES, CONTRIBUTORS, AND LICENSES

8 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

8.1 Text

• Pinus taeda Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinus%20taeda?oldid=640203814 Contributors: Nonenmac, Edward, Talshiarr, Nv8200p, Pollinator, Postdlf, Hadal, UtherSRG, MPF, Abigail-II, SarekOfVulcan, Bhuck, Bwil, Rich Farmbrough, Hesperian, Stemonitis, T34, Rjwilmsi, Tim!, Eubot, Ground Zero, Margosbot~enwiki, Nimur, Smithbrenon, Gdrbot, YurikBot, TDogg310, Ninly, Mmcannis, SmackBot, OrphanBot, Valfontis, Scientizzle, IronGargoyle, Sasata, Baskaufs, Beastie Bot, Cydebot, Casliber, Rosarinagazo, AntiVan- dalBot, Emeraldcityserendipity, DOSGuy, Altairisfar, Mcorazao, Ericoides, Steveprutz, VoABot II, Mjrmtg, JaGa, Hellohowareyoudoing, Zorilla10, IdLoveOne, Katalaveno, Brian.gratwicke, Colchicum, Widders, Idioma-bot, Bracomadar, TXiKiBoT, Alan Rockefeller, Rei- bot, Loblolly90, Jaguarlaser, Phe-bot, Chhandama, Dravecky, Maderibeyza, Jefflayman, Berean Hunter, XLinkBot, Rror, Addbot, Nu- berger13, Hollabooya, Luckas-bot, Yobot, AnomieBOT, Sz-iwbot, LucienBOT, Craig Pemberton, Pinethicket, I dream of horses, Abduc- tive, Jonesey95, Lookout22, Clarkcj12, Woodlot, EmausBot, ZéroBot, Rcsprinter123, Forcedcalm, Helpful Pixie Bot, BG19bot, Bsaintsing, Promethean12232, NJRobbie, TechFilmer, Nightphoenix90, Monkbot, Bagelhead13 and Anonymous: 47

8.2 Images

• File:Commons-logo.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg License: ? Contributors: ? Original artist: ? • File:Loblolly_Pine.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/10/Loblolly_Pine.jpg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Con- tributors: Own work Original artist: Rror • File:Pinus_taeda_cones.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8a/Pinus_taeda_cones.jpg License: CC BY-SA 2.0 Contributors: Flickr Original artist: Marcus Q on Flickr • File:Tree_Types_and_Barks_004.jpg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Tree_Types_and_Barks_004.jpg Li- cense: PD Contributors: I created this work entirely by myself. Original artist: Hellohowareyoudoing (talk) • File:Tree_template.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Tree_template.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Con- tributors: • File:Tango icon nature.svg • File:Blank_template.svg Original artist:

• DarKobra • Urutseg • Ain92

• File:Wikispecies-logo.svg Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/Wikispecies-logo.svg License: CC BY-SA 3.0 Contributors: Image:Wikispecies-logo.jpg Original artist: (of code) cs:User:-xfi-

8.3 Content license

• Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0

Clinic for TWMRC by Darrell Cowles 5/2/2015