Pinus taeda
An exceptionally fast-growing evergreen conifer native to the southeastern United States, with a straight trunk, needles in bundles of three and long cones, widely cultivated for timber and pulpwood and valued for screening, windbreaks, and shade.
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
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Blanco
- Publication
- Fl. Filip. 767. (1837)
- Synonym Of
- Pinus kesiya