What is special about the longleaf pine?

Answer 1

the long-leaf pine tree is special from most if not all other living pine trees because of its unique growing environment and of coarse its strength. When one reads about centuries long gone the long-leaf pine and its equal Scot's pine are the trees that made everything possible. This tree produced timber that was strong as iron and insect and rot resistant as long as the timber was being used. Its impact strength per square inch out performs most if not all woods today. Its a soft wood class but has all the characteristics of hard wood. It once grew in the south from Florida to east Texas in numbers of 90 million acres. These trees lived from two hundred and fifty years to five hundred years. The growth rings can be as numerous as thirty six lines in less than an inch. This tree produced turpentine and if burned real hot it produces a tar that was important for sealing seams. This wood is not like anything commonly seen in to-days market. It can be reclaimed from old structures if one is lucky to find it. Beware though your work is cut out for you this wood is not for the light hearted. It weighs more than you can imagine and is normally nailed in every two feet with very strong rust resistant nails. Example two feet can weigh easily thirty six pounds and that's just a one and half by four and half plank.