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Tree Guide

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Loblolly PinePinus taeda

  • Loblolly Pine evergreen
  • Loblolly Pine
  • Loblolly Pine - Pinus taeda
  • Loblolly Pine - Pinus taeda
  • Loblolly Pine Cone
One of the fastest growing southern pines, this tree is used as a quick-screen in many landscapes. This North American native has dark green needles and narrow, red-brown, often-paired cones that are three to six inches long. Grows in a wide variety of soils and is drought tolerant. 60'-100' height with 25-35' spread. (Zones 6-9)
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Hardiness Zones

The loblolly pine can be expected to grow in Hardiness Zones 6–9. View Map

Tree Type

Mature Size

The loblolly pine grows to a height of 60–90' and a spread of 25–35' at maturity.

Growth Speed Fast Growth Rate

This tree grows at a fast rate, with height increases of more than 24" per year.

Sun Preference

Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, meaning it should get at least six hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day.

Soil Preference

The loblolly pine grows in acidic, loamy, moist, sandy, well-drained and clay soils. While it prefers normal moisture, the tree can tolerate some flooding and moderate drought.

Attributes

This tree:
  • Transplants easily.
  • Adapts well to moist soil conditions.
  • Features slender, sometimes twisted, dark yellowish-green needles that are 6-10" long.
  • Produces dry, oval brown cones that are 3–6" in length.
  • Is used as a quick screen in many landscapes.
  • Grows in an oval shape.
  • Loses its lower branches with age, making it useful as a shade tree.

Wildlife Value

Loblolly pines provide shelter and food for many southeastern animals, including birds such as Carolina chickadees, brown-headed nuthatches, rufous-sided towhees, northern bobwhites and wild turkeys. The seeds are also consumed by chipmunks, squirrels and other small rodents.

History/Lore

The loblolly is native to the east coast of North America from New Jersey to Florida and Texas. As such, it has a long history with the pioneers and is known by several other names, among them rosemary pine, old field pine, bull pine, Indian pine and longstraw pine. In the South, the name loblolly means a depression. The tree was originally observed growing in river bottoms, and that is where it acquired its principal common name. It has a tendency to take over abandoned areas, thus the name “old field”; it is extremely aromatic, which is where "rosemary" came from; and it is blessed with an extremely large trunk, suggesting the name "bull." It was once an important lumber tree due to its abundance.