Longleaf Pine has a very thick bark and has evolved to be a fire adapted species. In its grass stage, the needles are the longest. Should a fire occur, the long needles protect the inner bud of the young trees. Longleaf pine has the biggest cones of the southern pine species. Cone production will slow when the trees are stocked at higher levels. In order to promote cone production with viable seed, it is recommended that the trees be thinned to about 40 square feet of basal area. Longleaf pine needles are valued more so than loblolly due in part to the tree's adaptation to fire. Once dry, the longleaf needles have a rich brown color that is enhanced by their waxy coating unlike those of loblolly which tend to be more of a dull grey-brown.