Historic and present day shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) abundance was measured and compared using 84 plots along 16 transects in site 8 of the Missouri Ozark Forest Ecosystem Project. Remnant pine stumps were used to estimate historic pine density and to construct a dendrochronological record of fire frequency. There has been a 66-percent reduction in the relative abundance of pine from historic levels (circa 1900) within the study area. Present day pine abundance is only 21 percent of historic levels on slopes and only 25 percent of historic levels on ridges. Historic and present day pine abundance was not significantly different on toe slopes and in riparian areas. Elevation, slope, and aspect were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with changes in pine abundance. Pine abundance was reduced at 60 percent of the plot locations, increased at 20 percent of the plots, and remained the same at 9 percent of the plots. Mean fire-free intetvals were 6.3 years for the period 1701 to 1820 and 3.1 years for the period 1821 to 1900. Pattems in the change in pine abundance were consistent with changes in fire frequency and expected fire behavior at a landscape level. In some areas, such as riparian or road corridors, it was difficult to estimate historic pine abundance because of the disturbance of pine stumps and remnants.