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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories White City homeowner starts grass fire, manages to contain it Body found in southeast Medford field Emergency services, May 17 Stolen hives impact beekeepers' livelihoods Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Body found in southeast Medford field Emergency services, May 17 Public meetings for May 18-22, 2015 Feds go after Rogue River lawyer for failing to pay $125,000 in taxes Medford police search for suspect who robbed Flamingo's at gunpoint Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Pacific Connector Gas Pipeline opponents rally in Medford BREAKING: Baltimore prosecutor charges officers in Freddie Gray's death Earthquakes hit regularly in Medford (Oklahoma, that is) Education SOU student's project tells story of devastating Weed fire South Medford, Ashland high schools earn national honors Medford garage sale will put books in African kids' hands Medford schools restore parent-teacher conferences Latino parents: More bilingual staff needed in Medford schools Environment Mt. Ashland Ski Area proposes summer adventure center Jackson County declares drought disaster Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Crater Lake may soon have China connection State waives college placement tests for students who hit high marks State News Oregon wildlife officials eye phased-in hunting, fishing fee increases Wyden's gambit on trade deal pays off Panel sends Jackson, Josephine drought declarations to governor Court overturns $85 million award for Oregon soldiers Oregon families should get $284 in tax rebates next year Nation - World There's a $10 million precious stone hidden in plain sight at Grand Central Obituaries Nita Day Alan Leslie Robins Kathryn "Kay" Blanche White Eva Robarts Donald Kent Hoyt Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Check out top import and export for every U.S. state Patriots fan sets up GoFundMe page to help pay for team's Deflategate fine Sports Latest Stories Jack of all trades Allred finishes in 16th at BMW Charity Pro-Am Buescher rallies for Iowa triumph Ducks down Chicago in opener Rockets overcome 3-1 deficit, eliminate Clips Varsity 541 College Sports Hovinga stars on mound as Ducks advance Duck men, women lead in Pac-12 track meet Wu falls just short of advancing to NCAAs Beavers continue hot streak, trip Cardinal Committee urges switch to 30-second shot clock Pro Sports Allred finishes in 16th at BMW Charity Pro-Am Ducks down Chicago in opener Rockets overcome 3-1 deficit, eliminate Clips McIlroy finishes 21-under, wins Wells Fargo Timbers victimized by late goals Community Sports Bailey picks up modified win Business Latest Stories Blog: L is For... Blog: Cash deals for homes inches toward normal levels Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson reports $75 million loss in 1st quarter Real Estate News Single-family home sales take off Never enough: New Starbucks proposed on Barnett Road in Medford Jackson County debt-ridden homeowners have an option New home in an old house Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house People In Business People in Business Transportation Tourism stronger than ever in Southern Oregon Medford airport still flying high with record passenger counts Erickson finds room to work at Medford airport Lithia Motors nets $40.7 million in first quarter Lithia Motors reports second-best quarter ever Agriculture 1-800Flowers.com reports $10.5 million loss in third quarter Naumes plans custom-crush winery in former packing house Opinion Latest Our View: Kicking state government down the road Letters to the Editor, May 17 George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Dana Milbank: The domain of 'dot-sucks' Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Editorials Our View: Kicking state government down the road Other Views: Keeping marijuana away from minors Our view: Legislature should fix both marijuana laws Our View: City should let SkyPark project move ahead Our View: E-cigarette bill is half right, half wrong Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, May 17 Letters to the Editor, May 15 Letters to the Editor, May 14 Letters to the Editor, May 13 Letters to the Editor, May 12 Columns George Will: Santorum — The return of the GOP's runner-up Dana Milbank: The domain of 'dot-sucks' Arthur I. Cyr: Camp David summit will not help Mideast stability George Will: In childhood, risk is inherent Dana Milbank: Power to the populists Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Ample water? Think again Guest Opinion: Oregon mothers need much more than flowers Guest Opinion: Child poverty and the Schneider Children’s Center Guest Opinion: Animal-killing program pulls wool over taxpayers' eyes Guest Opinion: Uniting to restore our sovereignty to we, the people Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Little Free Libraries Southern Oregon Journal: Little-known 'facts' about certain local birds Adopt a Pet Spring athletes in action Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Food Community blog: Rhubarb's sour stalks have surprising savory side 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Season Stepp: Use pink lemonade in recipes Quick, easy, versatile Page H. Onorato: Cookbook offers old friend in the kitchen today Home and Garden Learning to be a water watcher in these dry times Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback Pergola, arbor, gazebo: Learn the differences Dear Monty: Five tips for companies to reduce relocation costs Options abound for gardens in shady spots Health Community blog: Little Free Libraries Community blog: Fasting out of Cancer Brent St. Germain: Weight loss goes to the dogs Community blog: Don't Fall for This Part 2 Health Watch: Easy tips to drink more water throughout the day Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, May 15 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 8 Religion Briefs: Friday, May 1 Religion Briefs: Friday, April 24 Milestones and Achievements Bukair-Hinkle Wedding: Stephanie Anne Obad and Mark Douglass Schmor Ashland water bills could go up to fund watershed protection Drones helping create unique wedding photos Pick your favorite wedding flowers Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Live Music in Local Clubs 5 picks for live entertainment Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Theater 'Cuckoo's Nest' is a big play, well presented 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' REVIEW: Randall Theatre's 'Little Shop of Horrors' a rollicking good time REVIEW: Carson, Patton shine in 'Arsenic and Old Lace' Some Oregon Shakespeare Festival crew members seek to unionize Music Live Music in Local Clubs Blues great B.B. King dead at 89 Steve Poltz, Grant-Lee Phillips at Old Ashland Armory Victor D. Infante: If loving bad pop songs is wrong ... The Farr Side: Contest open for singer-songwriters Community Events Third Friday: 'Into the Woods' is a must-see 5 things to see at Art in Bloom Flowers, art and music highlight Art in Bloom Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at OSF's Black Swan in Ashland Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhiits by regional artists Movies Movie review: ‘Mad Max’ is a fresh, fantastic approach to a classic idea Your A-to-Z guide to the ‘Mad Max’ franchise Movie review: ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ will leave your inner 12-year-old giggling with glee Movie review: ‘Hot Pursuit’ is a hot mess George Miller returns to his ‘Mad Max’ roots Dining 6 stars of the Rogue Valley food universe Cool down with a cold one (or two, or three) Nguyen Street Food From rustic to elegant: Wine tasting in Southern Oregon Quick, easy, versatile Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Jack of all trades ... White City homeowner starts grass fire, manages to contain it ... Body found in southeast Medford field ... Jack of all trades ... White City homeowner starts grass fire, manages to contain it ... Body found in southeast Medford field ... Betty Montgomery: Longleaf pines making a comeback By Betty Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Betty Montgomery More Content Now Posted May. 14, 2015 @ 9:23 am By Betty Montgomery More Content Now Posted May. 14, 2015 @ 9:23 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> William Bartram, a naturalist from Philadelphia, traveled across the Southeast in the spring of 1773 and described “a vast forest of the most stately pine trees that can be imagined.” Bartram was describing the longleaf pine forest that covered the Southeast. It was the dominant pine from Virginia to Florida and over to east Texas, covering an estimated 90 million acres. When the explorers first came to Virginia in search of gold and silver, they did not find these elements but they found the longleaf pine. From these trees came naval products: pitch, tar and turpentine. They also noted the straight, strong trunks were ideal for masts of their ships. These were most valuable to England because they were a naval power and these products were critically important to their growing fleet. As colonies grew, logging of these tall, straight, majestic trees followed. Slowly the forests were replaced by farmland and the stately trees began to disappear. In the mid 1900s, when plantations of pines were planted, the loblolly and slash pine were planted. These trees have a more rapid growth rate and this meant landowners could harvest pines faster for pulp and lumber, and a profit was made quicker. People who grew up in North Carolina are familiar with the longleaf pine, the native pine that filled the forest. The area was always green in the winter because the area did not have the natural assortment of large hardwoods that grow in the Piedmont and mountain areas. Longleaf pines hold a special place for me. Many years ago, I decided I wanted to plant a few longleaf pines. My dad had always said it was superior to loblolly and I wanted the 18-inch long pine needles to use as mulch around the house and garden. I obtained four seedlings and went to work planting. The first longleaf trees I planted are now about 40 feet in height. I have learned over the years about planting these trees. First, they put down a deep taproot as they are starting to grow. You can plant a longleaf pine seedling and it might sit for three years and you think it is not growing, but that root is going deep into the ground. Then all of a sudden it will take off and the tree will grow quite rapidly. I have also learned that if you plant a longleaf pine, you need a seedling, not a larger-size tree. I was once given six longleaf pines, each in five-gallon containers, and I planted all of them. They lived, but because they had not put down the taproot first, each of the trees over time fell over. The weight of the tree above ground was too much for the surface roots. They needed that taproot to anchor the tall skinny tree when it started to grow. I have found that planting a seedling is the best way to go and these small trees catch up to a larger one you might plant at the same time. Longleaf pines are said to be a superior tree. Longleaf trees are more resistant to insect attacks than the other pines grown on the east coast. Insects drown in the thick sap that oozes from the tree when they bore a hole through the thick brown bark. Longleaf pines are also notably more tolerant of fire, reducing the loss factor when fire roars through the forest. The long needles make superior mulch and bring a higher price per bale of pine needles. The tall, straight single trunks produce a stronger wood and are sought after for telephone poles. Today, there is a comeback of the longleaf pine tree. If you ride through areas of the Carolinas where people plant plantations of pines, you will see more and more groves of longleaf pines being planted. People are realizing the long-term value of this majestic tree. I will continue to plant a few longleaf pines each year and I will enjoy seeing them grow and mature. I will also enjoy the needles that they produce to put around my plants. My plants will also enjoy the high dappled shade they create which is ideal for azaleas and camellias and other plants. Longleaf pines are on the rise. Betty Montgomery is a correspondent for The Spartanburg (S.C.) Herald-Journal. By Betty Montgomery More Content Now MailTribune.com By Betty Montgomery More Content Now Posted May. 14, 2015 @ 9:23 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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