Pinus palustris

Common Names

Longleaf Pine, Longleaf Yellow Pine, Southern Yellow Pine, Southern Pine, Pitch Pine, Longstraw Pine, Swamp Pine, Daiōshō (Japanese)

Summary

Longleaf Pine is a tall evergreen conifer native to the southeastern United States, ranging from Virginia to Texas along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains. It grows about 60–120 feet tall with a broad, open crown and thick, scaly bark, and bears very long needles up to 8–18 inches in bundles of three and large, spiny cones 6–10 inches long; a distinctive grass stage in seedlings and a deep taproot enhance fire resilience. Its culture favors full sun and well-drained sandy, acidic soils, with drought tolerance once established. Propagation is by seed, typically planted as container-grown stock; direct seeding is possible but may take years before shade appears, and early transplanting helps overcome the deep taproot. Fire regimes and vegetation management are essential for regeneration and stand structure; the species is resistant to fusiform rust but can be affected by borers, sawflies, pine-shoot moths, and pine weevils. In landscapes, it is not commonly planted in ordinary residential settings but serves as a specimen or in large-scale plantings; uses include timber and naval stores such as resin, pitch, turpentine, and rosin, while providing wildlife habitat including for red-cockaded woodpecker.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

60-120 feet

Spread

30-40 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun. Tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy soil (pH about 5.0–5.5)

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil (ideally sandy soil)

Soil pH

5.0-5.5, Slightly acidic to neutral, ideal around 5.5

Bloom Color

Yellow-red, Purple

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Bright green

Fall Foliage Color

Green (evergreen), No fall color change.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen needle

Growth Rate

Slow at first, then rapid after establishment; growth up to about 0.9–1.0 meters per year

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Grafting, Spores not used.

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds