History Tour Station 9: Pine

The Loblolly and Slash Pine trees are important plants in the Maritime forest, they provide cover and food for wildlife.  The Slash pine was tapped for crude gum/oleoresin for distillation into turpentine, rosin, pitch, and tar.  These products were used to tar decks and keels on wooden ships. Check out the window display in the Nature Center which shows a huge ball of resin.  Today, both trees are utilized for lumber.  Tea high in vitamin C can be made by steeping cut needles in hot water.