Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Timber Tree, Conifer, Forest Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Native species (no specific cultivar identified from log)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 6 through 9; adapted to hot, humid summers and mild to moderate winters.
About This Tree
A tall, fast-growing coniferous tree with a straight trunk and a rounded crown at maturity. It often loses its lower branches as it ages, creating a high canopy. It is one of the most commercially important forest trees in the U.S.
Leaf Characteristics
Needles are in bundles of three (occasionally two), 6 to 9 inches long, yellowish-green to dark green, and somewhat stiff.
Bark Characteristics
Thick, deeply furrowed into large, irregular, dark brown to reddish-brown plates. Young bark is scaly and grayish-black, becoming more plated and reddish with age.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeastern United States; native from East Texas to Florida and north to Delaware.
Growing Season
Year-round growth in warmer climates; flowers (strobili) appear in early spring; seeds mature over two years; minimal dormancy.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun; requires regular water when young but becomes moderately drought-tolerant; prefers moist, acidic soils.
Mature Size
Mature height of 60 to 90 feet, spread of 20 to 40 feet; fast growth rate; can live over 150 years; trunk diameter 1.5 to 3 feet.
Special Characteristics
High timber value for pulp and lumber; excellent for rapid reforestation; fire-resistant bark when mature; moderate salt tolerance.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds like the Red-cockaded Woodpecker and Bald Eagle; seeds are a food source for squirrels, chipmunks, and various songbirds.