Longleaf pines, once central to the naval stores industry in this area, became rare as that industry declined in the 19th century after ironclad ships made pine tar unnecessary for treating ships' hulls. Faster-growing loblolly pines then fed expanding pulp and lumber industries and came to dominate coastal forests. Young longleaf pine seedlings are being planted here to restore a view of the colonial economy and more accurately recreate the battlefield landscape where patriots labored and fought.