Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda · Coniferous Evergreen Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Conifer
Variety / Cultivar
Standard Wild Type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9
About This Tree
Large coniferous evergreen with a straight trunk, dense crown in youth that becomes more open and flat-topped at maturity, featuring reddish-brown scaly bark and clusters of needles.
Leaf Characteristics
Needles in bundles of three, 6 to 9 inches long, flexible, dark green, persisting on the tree for up to two years.
Bark Characteristics
Dark reddish-brown to gray, thick, deeply furrowed into scaly plates on mature trees.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeastern United States
Growing Season
Evergreen with active growth from spring through late summer, shedding older needles continuously and entering reduced metabolic activity during winter.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun and moderate watering, highly adaptable to various soil moisture levels once established with moderate drought tolerance.
Mature Size
Height of 60 to 90 feet, spread of 30 to 50 feet, fast growth rate, and a lifespan of 100 to 150 years.
Special Characteristics
Valuable timber tree, excellent adaptation to acidic clay soils, moderate wind resistance, and widely used in commercial forestry.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides critical habitat and nesting sites for endangered species like the red-cockaded woodpecker, seeds consumed by various birds and small mammals, and cover for white-tailed deer.