Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda · Evergreen, Coniferous, Softwood, Native
Plant Family
Pinaceae
Tree Category
Forest Tree, Timber Tree, Shade Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Not specific (standard species)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 6 through 9.
About This Tree
A large, fast-growing coniferous tree with a straight trunk and a rounded crown at maturity. It is one of several pines native to the Southeastern US known as 'yellow pine'.
Leaf Characteristics
Needles are in bundles of three, 6 to 9 inches long, yellowish-green to dark green, and somewhat stiff.
Bark Characteristics
Thick, reddish-brown to dark gray bark that is deeply furrowed into large, irregular, rectangular scaly plates. Often reveals cinnamon-colored inner layers when scales flake off.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Southeastern United States, from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Texas.
Growing Season
Year-round growth; produces new needles (candles) in spring, sheds older needles in autumn, and releases pollen in early spring.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun preferred; moderate to high water needs; grows well in acidic, moist soils but is adaptable to various soil types including clay.
Mature Size
Mature height of 60 to 90 feet, spread of 25 to 35 feet, fast growth rate, and lifespan of 100 to 150 years.
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for timber and pulpwood; moderate fire resistance; features unique 'puzzle-piece' bark scales; primary species for Southern forestry carbon sequestration.
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides nesting sites for birds like the Brown-headed Nuthatch and Pine Warbler; seeds are a food source for squirrels, chipmunks, and songbirds; serves as a host for various lepidoptera larvae.