The longleaf pine, also know as the yellow or Georgia pine, is considered one of the most valuable trees in terms of wood products, beauty and resistance to insects, disease and fires. In pre-settlement times, the longleaf pine flourished from Eastern Texas through the lower coastal plains and up through Virginia, covering over 60 million acres. They thrived due to repeated fires or lightening strikes which help their seedlings develop. These forests were reduced to only 3 million acres by the early 1900’s due to land use for farming, suppression of the fires, and replacement by the loblolly pine. There are efforts being taken to restore this tree species because it offers diversity, beauty, and excellent wildlife habitats for many organisms.

Longleaf pines can grow up to 100 feet in height in moist or dry sandy soils of the coastal plains. Its wood is very hard and contains a large amount of resin. Their light green, soft leaves grow in crowded fascicles at the end of very scaly branches. These leaves can grow between 20-45 centimeters in length. They produce pinecones that are long and conic or cylindrical in shape that range from 15 to 25 centimeters in length.

The keel of the U.S.S. Constitution, "Old Ironsides", was made from a single longleaf pine timber.