Longleaf, Far as the Eye Can See

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192 pp., 12 x 10, 160 color plates., 7 halftones, 1 maps, index

Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-8078-3575-3
Published: October 2012
E-book EPUB ISBN: 978-0-8078-3809-9
Published: October 2012
E-book PDF ISBN: 979-8-8908-4334-0
Published: October 2012

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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 Maynor Young'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.

About the Authors

Bill Finch is senior fellow at the Ocean Foundation and executive director of the Mobile Botanical Gardens.
For more information about Bill Finch, visit the Author Page.

Beth Maynor Young is a conservation photographer.
For more information about Beth Maynor Young, visit the Author Page.

Rhett Johnson is cofounder and president of the Longleaf Alliance, Inc.
For more information about Rhett Johnson, visit the Author Page.

John C. Hall is curator of the Black Belt Museum at the University of West Alabama.
For more information about John C. Hall, visit the Author Page.

Reviews

"[Longleaf, Far as the Eye Can See] pays tribute to a tree that's been a fixture in the Southern forest for centuries."—Garden & Gun blog

“I lost several hours paging through the evocative pictures in this book, and the text is equally absorbing.”—New York Times

"Longleaf is not a story of loss, but one of deep reverence for the grandeur and mystery of these regions."—American Scientist

“Longleaf makes an insightful and visually attractive read for the nature aficionado or wood enthusiast."—Austin American-Statesman

"The lush images and meticulously researched story combine to make the case that restoring longleaf pine is not only possible, but worthwhile." —Nature Conservancy

"This book by Finch and colleagues, with its many beautiful color photographs and well-written text, explains longleaf's history, ecology, and the reasons why it deserves a larger place in contemporary forests. . . . Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates and above; general readers."—Choice