North Carolina’s rich history is deeply connected to its diverse natural environment, a relationship celebrated through its official state symbols. Understanding the designation of the state tree traces a path through the state’s ecological and economic narrative. The official state tree stands as a testament to the powerful influence of a single genus of coniferous evergreen upon the region.
The Official Designation: The Pine
The official state tree of North Carolina is designated as “The Pine.” This broad classification, adopted by the General Assembly in 1963 under General Statute § 145-3, refers to the entire genus Pinus and encompasses all eight species native to the state. Legislators chose not to favor a single species, recognizing the ubiquitous presence and collective economic impact of all native pines. However, a recent amendment designated the Longleaf Pine, Pinus palustris, as the specific emblem representing the trees of North Carolina.
Economic and Historical Significance in North Carolina
The selection of the pine is rooted deeply in the state’s colonial and early industrial history. Pine forests, particularly the vast tracts of Longleaf Pine, were the primary source of “naval stores”—tar, pitch, and turpentine—essential for maintaining and waterproofing wooden ships of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Tar was created by slowly burning pine logs in earthen kilns to waterproof ropes and rigging. Pitch was produced by boiling the raw tar to thicken it, ideal for caulking ship hull seams. Turpentine, distilled from the resinous gum tapped from living trees, was used as a solvent and for medicinal purposes.
By the 1770s, naval stores production became North Carolina’s most important colonial industry. The massive scale of this industry earned the state its enduring nickname, “The Tar Heel State.” At its peak in the mid-19th century, North Carolina supplied nearly all U.S. naval stores.
The abundant, straight trunks were also harvested for lumber, providing masts for ships and material for construction. Although the industry declined after the Civil War due to over-harvesting and the shift to iron ships, the economic foundation laid by the pine forests remains a defining part of the state’s heritage.
Key Characteristics of Native North Carolina Pine Species
Among the eight native species, the Longleaf, Loblolly, and Shortleaf pines are the most economically and ecologically significant. The Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris), once dominant in the coastal plain and sandhills, is recognized by its exceptionally long needles, which can reach up to 18 inches and grow in bundles of three. It produces the largest cones of any eastern U.S. pine, typically measuring six to ten inches in length.
The Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is one of the fastest-growing species and is now the most commercially harvested pine in the state. Its medium-length needles, usually six to ten inches, appear in clusters of two or three. As the tree matures, its bark develops thick, blocky, dark gray-brown plates. This opportunistic species is common throughout the eastern and central regions.
The Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata) is the most widely distributed species across the state, found from the coastal plain into the mountains. Its needles are the shortest of the major species, typically three to five inches long in bundles of two or three. Its bark is characterized by irregular, scaly, dark brown plates, reflecting the genus’s ability to thrive across the state’s varied climate and geography.