Longleaf Pine

Longleaf pine forests once covered large swaths of the southeastern U.S., extending into Louisiana and Texas. Longleaf pine savannas are storm and hurricane resilient, drought and fire resistant, pest resistant, and extremely biodiverse — making them ideal habitat for wildlife like turkey and quail, while increasing the resiliency and desirability of nearby communities.

Over the last century, millions of acres of longleaf have been lost and currently less than 3% of this iconic forest exists. Landowners who restore and sustainably manage their longleaf forests play a vital role in protecting one of Louisiana’s valuable natural assets.

Our team members can help landowners apply for a number of state and federal programs that offer financial assistance for establishing and managing longleaf pine forests.

These cost-share programs can cover 75% to 100% of the costs of longleaf land management. Common costs include:

• • Site preparation
  • Planting longleaf pine seedlings
  • Prescribed burning every 2-3 years to maintain the health of the trees and allow for establishment of the understory
  • Establishing native plants to improve the pollinator habitat

Depending on the program used, there are a few income and acreage restrictions on who can apply. These restrictions differ based on whether the assistance is being offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries or the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

We can help you decide how these programs will work for you, based on your land’s unique needs.

Landowners are still able to hunt, fish, and harvest timber while in these programs. A landowner can even still build small commercial buildings on the property being managed. However, these programs are intended for landowners that want to keep their land in forest rather than development.

You can still create a savannah-like pine forest and excellent wildlife habitat without longleaf pine through various management practices.

By combining mechanical thinning with prescribed burns, you can open up your loblolly or slash pine stand, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor. This encourages the growth of a diverse understory of grasses and wildflowers, which provide food and cover for wildlife.

While all pines have some fire resistance, longleaf pine is the most resilient. However, with careful planning and execution, prescribed burning can be safely implemented in loblolly and slash pine stands as well.

There is a program offered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service that pays landowners $500/acre to thin their existing pine stands.