2

VEGETATIONAL REGIONS

REGION 1. LONG-LEAF PINE

THIS region is dominated by the pine which gives it name. It is a sandy region of low-lying hills interspersed with "crawfish" flats, subject to 45 to 50 inches of rainfall and traversed by numerous creeks and rivers. Under such conditions, marshes and swamps are common.

Long-leaf pine formerly dominated both hills and craw-fish flats; but most of the virgin timber has long since been cut and the slash carelessly allowed to burn. At present one's eye is frequently greeted by vast stretches of grasses and flowering herbs thickly flecked with blackened stumps, remains of the former forest. Occasional rejected relict trees stand sparsely scattered, raising wispy crowns atop long thin trunks. Though dejected and sorrowful of aspect, they furnish the seed with which ultimately, under protection from grass fires, it will yet be possible to restore the beauty of the original virgin forest. Even now intelligent and foresighted owners have an abundance of local second growth timber on protected plots, showing that it is practicable to reforest the whole region. Of recent years the state itself through its State Forester's Office has inaugurated an educational campaign resulting in the enactment of laws which now penalize careless fire setting and provide for an effective look-out and fire-fighting system.

In addition to long-leaf, both short-leaf and loblolly pine are found in the region; but in such minor role as to be negligible. Along stream "bottoms" of silty texture, rich with humus, numerous hardwoods occur. Swamps of tupelo and bald cypress, formerly common, have largely been destroyed by lumbering operations. Lofty trees of willow-oak, overcup oak, southern pin oak, white, red, yellow, basket and other oaks occur; as do also beautiful groves of beech and magnolia. Along stream banks birch is not uncommon.

"

---

Slash, the discarded branches and debris.

"Bottoms"; that is, flood plains.