The longleaf pine is in danger of disappearing in South Carolina, according to forest conservationists.
The species, which is used for shipping timber and turpentine, used to cover about 92 million acres across America’s south-east but is now spread over only three million acres.
Conservationists say people have stopped planting the species, which has insect- and disease-resistant properties, because it takes a long time to grow.
They are attempting to educate the public about the ecological history of the longleaf pine to increase support for private landowners who choose to plant the species. Work also involves improving the management of longleaf pine forests and promoting the use of controlled burning.
