A longleaf Pine forest near Southern Pines

A forest of Pinus palustris the famed longleaf pine of the Southeastern US. Firery Vaccinium and deep green Ilex glabra (ink berry holly), and dry pine needles create a lovely and colorful ground layer. A lone red maples brings the color from the Vaccinium towards the canopy.

Frequent fires are an important part of the ecosystem and this part was proabbly burned this spring