Pine Tree – Softwood

April 12, 2025

Troy North Carolina

Tree #4/50

“The Pine Tree”…How’s that for a state tree?  I love it!   The state tree of North Carolina is simply “the pine tree”.   This is extremely fitting because the legacy of North Carolina forests touches on many species of Pine.  I climbed a beautiful Loblolly Pine on the campus of Montgomery Community College near Troy N.C.  As I prepared to get my climbing rope in the tree a wind began to blow through the forest.  There is nothing like the sound of wind through the pines.  The forest here also features Shortleaf, Longleaf, Slash, White and Virginia Pines.  Elsewhere in the state there are also Pond, Table Mountain, and Pitch Pine.  There are other family members such as Eastern Hemlock and Eastern Red Cedar. 

Historically Native Americans used intention burning to manage the forest.  This practice especially promoted Longleaf Pine.  In the 1800’s North Carolinians made tar and turpentine from almost all species of Pine in an industry referred to as “naval stores”.  This industry connected thousands of people to the states forests for many years.  Today the forest economy has moved away from naval stores and more to lumber.   The pines of North Carolina are the backbone of a thriving wood products industry that provides jobs to thousands of people.