Interconnectedness helps restoration of long leaf southern pine

This from a Wood Technology Article by Richard Jagels in Wooden Boat.

Southern Long leaf Pine was a valued wood for boat building.   It is eminently workable (bend to shape) and apparently its high resin content makes it relatively resistant to underwater pests.  However it is not readily available today partly because it was logged out and because it requires frequent fires to prosper.  It is not a good initial competitor for space and nutrients without fires to help, and it itself prospers well with fires.

A resurgence of long leaf is helped by two fortuitous relationships.  The almost extinct  red-cocked woodpecker requires a high resin wood to survive (as in Southern Longleaf.)  The resin serves an important purposes:  it repels tree climbing rat snakes which eat the woodpecker young.  In fact it is a necessary element for the woodpecker to survive. As this species becomes protected on all public lands, longleaf cultivation (with frequent fires) increases.   The frequent fires also benefit another protected species , the Louisiana pine snake feeds on gophers that feed  on grasses that prosper following fires.   This snake is protected in Louisiana and Texas.

Usually these interconnection tales are ones leading to downfall of species.   In this case the policy to protect the bird and snake are leading to resurgence of long leaf pine.

As Jagels points out, these relationships are, "...tantalizing, and provide ample evidence  for the amazing complexity and interconnectedness of ecosystems - and should give anyone great pause before messing about with nature.  I'll reserve that activity for boats."   (as in Wind in the Willows! PB)