Growing up in North Carolina, I was used to seeing towering pine trees around every corner. Because of this, I grew blind to pine trees rather than truly seeing them for their beauty and significance. They were not the beautiful trees that flower in the spring or the trees that drop magnificently colored leaves in the fall, so why even bat an eye? As I began to dive deeper into my biology and environmental science classes at UNCW, it opened my eyes to the importance and unique qualities that pine trees possess, specifically the longleaf pine species. In the state of North Carolina, the longleaf pine has a long history of use and environmental significance. Pine trees are so important to our state that in 1963 it was recognized as the state tree. Historically, the longleaf pine has been harvested for many generations for timber and tar products. Due to the strength of its wood, the longleaf pine was harvested for various construction purposes (poles, roofing, etc.). The resin of this species was also harvested to be used in tar products, such as naval stores. This practice was so popular that it led to North Carolina acquiring the nickname “Tar Heel State.” The longleaf pine is also the habitat for many endangered and threatened species found here in Wilmington. One example would be the red-cockaded woodpecker, which finds habitat in the longleaf pine forest environment that is maintained by fire.