LONGLEAF, FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE

Longleaf forests once covered 92 million acres from Texas to Maryland to Florida These grand old growth pines were the alpha tree of the largest forest ecosystem in North America and have come to define the southern forest But logging suppression of fire destruction by landowners and a complex web of other factors reduced those forests so that longleaf is now found only on 3 million acres Fortunately the stately tree is enjoying a resurgence of interest and longleaf forests are once again spreading across the South Blending a compelling narrative by writers Bill Finch Rhett Johnson and John C Hall with Beth Finch s breathtaking photography Longleaf Far as the Eye Can See invites readers to experience the astounding beauty and significance of the majestic longleaf ecosystem The authors explore the interactions of longleaf with other species the development of longleaf forests prior to human contact and the influence of the longleaf on southern culture as well as ongoing efforts to restore these forests Part natural history part conservation advocacy and part cultural exploration this book highlights the special nature of longleaf forests and proposes ways to conserve and expand them