This species grows best in poor soils, rather dry and sandy and devoid of humus, but never in the very poorest, such as sand dunes. The region covered by it has a warm-temperate climate, with very little
Park-like Virgin Forest of Long-leaf Pine (Pinus palustris), Colquitt Co., Georgia. August, 1903.
snow, and more rain in summer than in winter, except in northern Georgia and Alabama.
After reaching the age of four or five years the long-leaf pine seems to withstand fire better than any other tree known, with the possible exception of one or two of its near relatives to be discussed below; and what is more, it probably could not perpetuate itself very long without
Long-leaf Pine Forest with almost No Underbrush, in Southern Part of Liberty Co., Florida. June, 1909.