Ecological restoration using prescribed fire has been underway for 3 years in an uncut, old-growth longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) stand located in south Alabama. The longleaf pine ecosystem requires frequent (once every 1-10 years) surface fire to prevent succession to later seral stages. Before this study began, this stand had not burned in >45 years, resulting in heavy litter accumulation (> 25 centimeters), a dense hardwood mid-story, and few herbaceous species. Baseline data were collected prior to reintroduction of fire into the 23-hectare stand in 1995. After removing hardwood stems in a fuelwood operation and reintroducing fire, litter depth and composition of herbaceous and woody species have changed significantly. Prescribed fire has been used to reduce litter layers, encourage establishment of herbaceous vegetation, discourage survival of hardwood species, deter non-native species establishment and persistence, and alter residual longleaf pine stand structure. Analysis of data collected prior to the onset of restoration and 4 years later shows highly significant changes in surface soil nutrients, litter depths, and herbaceous species establishment, as well as substantial longleaf pine mortality.