Heartpine

By Karen Manning, Pro-Serve, Inc.

t started with a call in the Spring of 2020. It led to curiosity and creativity. And then my partnership with The Longleaf Alliance.

But first, the disclaimer. And yes, every article needs to have a disclaimer or two to make it hopefully as truthful as the writer can make it in their own words. So here it is. In no manner, shape, or form, do I profess to know what you do about longleaf pine. I know less than what most of you will forget in your sleep tonight. But that makes my journey more simplistic, and for me, more profound.

IOur company, Pro-Serve, Inc., is in the business of killing things. Not quite closely aligned with my personal values, but as they say, “it is what it is.” We manufacture and sell herbicides to control unwanted plants. I’m new to the family business, having spent most of my career in consumer package goods marketing. The family business is a legacy to our children, and as I moved to a new stage in my professional life, I decided to give it a go. And then came the call. A longleaf tree farmer from Georgia named Reese Thompson called our office to order herbicide. I was both

grateful and blessed to have been on the receiving end of that call. Reese helped me understand, through countless calls and emails, how our products work to help longleaf landowners restore the forests destroyed over the last 150 years. He piqued my interest in learning more about longleaf pine.

At first, my curiosity drove me to understand more about the resiliency of the longleaf seedling to prescribed burns. How could something so small and seemingly fragile survive the intensity and heat of a fire? And then I read and researched more. What I found that gave that little plant in its grass stage part of the power to survive was its taproot. Stretching deep into the ground for strength and stability, it stored everything needed to survive - to be resilient.

Like the longleaf pine, our taproots, be they family, friends, faith, or values, give us the strength to be resilient in times of adversity. And personally, I needed that revelation. If a tiny longleaf pine can make it by relying on its taproot, so should I rely on mine. I am fortunate to speak to many young people about my professional career and what I’ve learned – offering any advice or guidance I can provide. I’ve used the longleaf pine seedling example in many of my talks to testify to the importance of learning resilience.

And finally, the creativity. Through the relationships I’ve built over the last two years, I now understand how our products can help promote the natural habitat of countless animals and plants native to the longleaf pine forests. I am obsessed with baby gopher tortoises, Bobwhite Quail, and now, thanks to Reese, trumpet pitcher plants.

I have several original paintings to donate to The Longleaf Alliance’s upcoming events. From my paintings of birds and animals to flowers and, of course, the pines themselves, I’m proud to be part of your journey.