So far in my research, I have focused on two different pine species. First, in the Southeast, I have worked with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris). This species used to be widely distributed across the North American Coastal Plain, from eastern Texas up to southeastern Virginia. Longleaf pine and its associated ecosystems are fire maintained - they need very frequent fire (about every 1-4 years) to stay healthy! In the West, I have worked with ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa). Like longleaf, ponderosa is known to require frequent fire to maintain healthy forest composition and structure. I’m in love with these two fire-adapted pines!