Pinus taeda

Loblolly Pine

Loblolly Pine is a southern pine commonly planted for the lumber industry and often found along water in the southeast. It grows best in full sun on well-drained, moist, acid soil and is highly drought-tolerant once established. Pines are often grouped together in a landscape and they are becoming more popular for planting in parks and in commercial landscapes. They create a light shade which allows grass and other plants to easily grow beneath the canopy. Needles are borne in threes. Widely planted for timber and pulpwood. Wood weighs about 50 pounds per cubic foot.
Like many pines horizontal branches break easily in ice and wind storms. Something always seems to be falling from this pine tree; needles, sap, branches, and fruit appear on nearby cars, roofs and sidewalks year round. Unless grown in the open with no other trees nearby, shaded lower branches die as the tree grows taller. Open-grown trees keep more lower branches, probably due to greater sun exposure. It is important to maintain only one leader to the top of the plant.
Dropping needles often discourage people from planting pines near streets, parking lots, or near other pavement. Roots also enjoy growing just under the surface of the asphalt and cracking it. Taproots are well developed and deep on well-drained soils; they are deflected laterally on poorly drained sites. Taproots are smaller and shorter than those on P. echinata and P. palustris. Probably the most serious problem of Pines in areas with high pH irrigation water is pine chlorosis. The root system is often dominated by a few large diameter roots.

Height 50-75 Feet

Spread 25-35 Feet

USDA Hardiness Zone 6B to 9A

Characteristics & Attributes