The Southern Longleaf Pine, Alabama’s state tree, is a strong, durable tree. It has some peculiarities, however. In its first years, its growth is underground. It develops a tap root, but the green shoots above ground can be mistaken for grass. The Longleaf Pine boasts the biggest cones among pine trees, but it takes fire to prepare seedbeds for germination. This is the tree that gives its name to Longleaf Writing Project: the tree that goes through fire; the tree that begins slowly and grows to create the mightiest cone among pines.