Pinus taeda

Common Names

Loblolly Pine, Oldfield Pine, Bull Pine, Rosemary Pine, North Carolina Pine, Arkansas Pine

Summary

Pinus taeda is an evergreen conifer native to the southeastern United States, with a straight trunk and a dense, pyramidal to rounded crown, it is fast-growing, typically 60–100 feet tall in cultivation, has long, fragrant needles in bundles of three about 6–10 inches long, and 3–6 inch cones with spiny scales, thick, scaly bark contributes fire resistance, and it tolerates a range of soils from sandy to clay while preferring full sun and moist, acidic conditions, it is widely used for timber and pulpwood and valued in landscapes for screening or windbreaks, while providing wildlife habitat through seed production, cultivation favors full sun, acidic soils, and well-drained to moist conditions, with drought tolerance after establishment and the ability to adapt to various soils, propagation is from seed (or cuttings for uniformity), and a compact Nana cultivar exists, practical considerations include monitoring for pests such as pine bark beetles, pine tip moths, borers, and fusiform rust, and recognizing its role in forestry and erosion control, uses encompass timber and pulpwood production, shade, windbreaks, and wildlife habitat in appropriate growing zones (USDA 6a–9b).

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

720-1200 inches

Spread

30-35 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 6-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun (about 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day); Pinus taeda is intolerant of shade and requires full sun for best growth.

Soil Type

Well-drained soils, typically sandy, loamy, or clay-based, with pH 4.5–7.5

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

4.5-6.0

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Green, ranging from bright green to yellowish-green and dark green

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color change; remains green year-round.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Fast-growing; typically 2–3 feet per year, up to 3–6 feet per year under good conditions.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Grafting, Tissue culture

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds and butterflies