Longleaf Pine Reforestation on Florida State Parks
Restoring Florida's State Parks: Longleaf Pine Reforestation
Over the past century, Florida has seen a dramatic decline in one of its most iconic and ecologically important trees: the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). Once spanning over 90 million acres across the Southeastern United States, longleaf pine ecosystems have dwindled to less than 5% of their original range—largely due to logging, land development, and fire suppression. But thanks to dedicated reforestation efforts, including restorative programs like "Plant-a-Pine" by Florida State Parks, the longleaf pine is making a slow but determined comeback.
Why Longleaf Pine Matters
Longleaf pine forests are some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in North America. They provide critical habitat for a range of wildlife species, including:
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The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker
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Gopher tortoises, a keystone species that support over 300 other species through their burrows
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Unique groundcover plants and wildflowers
Longleaf pines are also fire-adapted, meaning they rely on regular, low-intensity fires to thrive—fires that help reduce underbrush, recycle nutrients, and prevent more catastrophic wildfires.
Plant-a-Pine Program
Launched by the Florida State Parks Foundation in 2020, the Plant-a-Pine program offers visitors and supporters a chance to directly contribute to the restoration of longleaf pine ecosystems. Since 2021, A Living Tribute has been sponsoring the planting of longleaf pine seedlings in designated Florida state parks that are undergoing habitat restoration.
Some of the reforestation efforts have taken place in state parks such as:
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Ichetucknee Springs State Park
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Fort Cooper State Park
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Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park
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Lake Kissimmee State Park
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Dunns Creek State Park
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Alafia River State Park
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Highlands Hammock State Park
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Oscar Scherer State Park
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Paynes Creek Historic State Park
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Ponce de Leon Springs State Park
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Big Shoals State Park
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Torreya State Park
These native pine tree plantings not only support forest recovery, but also enhance trails, protect watersheds, and improve the overall visitor experience.
Past Tree Plantings
In 2020, A Living Tribute contributed to a large scale tree planting effort on the Goethe State Forest — a 53,587-acre protected forest on Florida's Gulf Coast. The land is named in honor of Mr. J.T. Goethe, who sold much of the property to the state in 1992 through the Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) program.
Goethe State Forest is cared for with long-term sustainability in mind. The forest supports a wide variety of wildlife, offers outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors, and continues to be restored through ongoing reforestation and habitat management efforts.
How the Tree Planting Works
Florida’s longleaf pine restoration begins with careful site selection and preparation. Forestry teams and park staff remove invasive species, clear dense undergrowth, and prepare the soil for planting. Longleaf pine seedlings are then hand or machine planted during the cooler months—typically between December and February—when conditions are ideal for root establishment.
After planting, the sites are monitored regularly. Prescribed burns may be introduced to mimic the natural fire cycles that longleaf ecosystems depend on. This management helps young pines grow stronger and supports the native flora and fauna that thrive in open, fire-maintained habitats.
While many of the reforestation projects we support take place in the spring, Florida is a little different. The ideal planting season there is from November through January, when cooler temperatures and consistent rainfall help young seedlings take root and grow strong. Planting during this mild, wetter weather gives the trees the best possible start.
A Living Tribute: Honor Someone with a Longleaf Pine
At A Living Tribute, we’re proud to support tree planting efforts in Florida and across the United States. When you plant a memorial tree through our platform, you help restore habitats like the longleaf pine forests of Florida—places that symbolize resilience, legacy, and renewal.
Each tree is planted in partnership with trusted reforestation organizations and state agencies, and a personalized tribute card is mailed to the recipient to commemorate the gift.