Natural History:

When Fort McClellan closed in September, 1999, approximately 2,000 acres of the 18,000 acre facility was longleaf pine forest found in various degrees of health. Of the 2,000 acres, 12 stands totaling approximately 100 acres are considered old-growth with numerous trees in excess of 200 years old. Although found growing on all aspects, the longleaf pine stands on old Fort McClellan are typically found on ridgelines with southerly aspects up to 1500 feet above sea level. These slopes can be as steep as 50% and consist primarily of stony, rough land with sandstone outcrops, loose rock fragments and scattered patches of mineral soil. In a few stands, frequent fires caused from military activities have resulted in a diverse herbaceous layer with little midstory oaks. Where frequent fires were seen, grasses such as splitbeard bluestem dominate the groundcover. The influence of Appalachian plants is heavy in the understory community. However, one isolated 2 acre old-growth stand contains species (such as turkey oak) typically found in the coastal plain. Longleaf pine across old Fort McClellan average 6 - 8 inch dbh with stands 50 -60 ft2/ac. The incidence of redheart is 20% in the longleaf trees, though the site does not contain an active cluster of red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Management History:

The logging in this area in the late 1800's was predominantly carried out to provide charcoal for the numerous iron furnaces of the region. It is reasonable to assume that longleaf found on steep talus slopes was often too difficult to log and was left alone. When the U.S. Army purchased the property in early 1900's, military activities resulted in many areas seeing frequent fires. Fires that burned off of artillery ranges resulted in some stands seeing annual (or even biennale) fires. Other stands have not seen fires in decades.

Following the closure of Fort McClellan, approximately 6000 acres of the base was handed over the Joint Powers Authority while approximately 9000 acres was given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (map). The later of the two groups is working to conserve the old-growth longleaf stands through the creation of the Mountain Longleaf National Wildlife Refuge. Nine of the twelve old-growth stands are located within the boundaries of the Mountain Longleaf Refuge. However, staffing limitations has resulted in a temporary suspension of prescribed burning activities. On the other hand, the JPA is working on a development plan that "seeks to achieve orderly reuse and redevelopment [of Fort McClellan]" leaving 3 old-growth longleaf stands and several hundred acres of prime second growth longleaf stands vulnerable to development. Essentially, 79 acres of old-growth are currently protected within the boundaries of the Mountain Longleaf Refuge, while 22 acres outside belonging to the Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The Skeleton Mountain stand is adjacent to the Refuge boundary and considered a high priority for acquisition to the Mountain Longleaf Refuge.

Mountain longleaf pine forests are exceptionally rare. Old-growth mountain longleaf is even rarer. If you feel strongly about JPA not recognizing the significance of these longleaf pine stands in their development strategy, phone them at: (256) 236-2011.

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