Since Earth Day came and went, students on campus have seemingly become more interested in environmental practices at the University. These students will be pleased to know the College of Natural Resources is testing to improve a species of pine trees with a higher than usual taste for carbon dioxide.

Loblolly pines stand out from others in the pine family for their distinctively un-picky nature. Though the term loblolly means “low, wet place,” these trees can be seen growing all over the southeastern United States from Florida to Texas, New Jersey to Delaware, and particularly in the eastern part of North Carolina.

“They’re the most commercially important trees in the southeast,” John King, associate professor in forestry and environmental resources, said. “[Loblolly pines] have good wood properties, which is good for lumber companies, they grow in a ride range of environmental conditions, and they’re the most widely studied tree breed in the U.S.”

While most plants only grow in certain types of soil, loblolly pines will grow in sandy soil, acidic soil and soil packed with clay. The pines are incredibly adaptive not only to soils, but to climates as well.

Nearly 40 years ago, loblolly pines were planted throughout the Southeast, and today, we’re reaping the benefits.

The program of forestry and environmental research at the University has been working to genetically improve the loblolly pines. Improvements include enhancing the pines’ adaptability and resistance rate.

William Transou , junior in science technology and society, has noticed the pines around campus.

“I’ve seen pictures of them from the golf course,” Transou said.

Two different cooperatives work on campus to improve the loblolly pines. The Forest Productivity Cooperative researches different ways to manipulate nutrients to maximize growth rates of loblolly pines. Meanwhile, the Tree Improvement Cooperative researches different breeding methods of loblolly pines to improve the pine qualities by giving them better genetics.

“Studies are showing a huge impact,” Steve McKeand , professor of forestry and environmental resources and director of the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program, said. “The trees are now 35-40 percent more productive than before, and that has huge economic value for landowners, as well environmental benefits.”

Every year, a billion loblolly pines are planted in the Southeast, with a rotation time of 25 years. This trumps past rotation times of 50 years.

“The pines are growing twice as much due to research, raising the wood productivity,” King said.

With the planting of new, genetically improved trees, the amount of carbon sequestered from the air has improved by 13 percent.

“The trees are growing faster, so they’re taking up more carbon,” McKeand said.

“I was just learning about N.C . State’s goal to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent before 2015, and these pines will definitely help toward that,” Transou said.

Loblolly pines cover nearly 15 percent of the Southeast, mostly in plantations run by lumber companies.

When harvested, the loblolly wood goes on to create such items like furniture, plywood, composite boards, posts, poles and boxes. Loblolly pines are also planted to stabilize eroded or damaged soils. Paper made from loblolly pines is of a higher quality, though the increase of mitigated carbon doesn’t affect the quality of the wood or the paper.

King explains that work on the loblolly pines began in the 1950s, not too long after the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Initially, experimentation began on the pines to make them more drought resistant. Now, it looks like the original intent of the pines is coming in handy.

“Now, with the way the climate is changing, we’re seeing more droughts in the South,” King said.

Transou thinks the experimenting of the pines on campus is important for environmental and economic purposes.

“Having trees that are less susceptible to disease and other problems means less time and money will have to go into uprooting and replanting new trees,” Transou said. “Overall, [the pines] are more sustainable, and that’s a good thing.”