Loblolly Pine, Shortleaf Pine

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade

Origin: Eastern USA (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, central to northern Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, North Caroliana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, South Caroliana, Tennesee, eastern Texas, Virginia)

Growth Habits: Evergreen tree, very rapidly growing to 50 to 100 feet tall (15-30 m), 30 to 40 feet spread (9-12 m), self-pruning with an oval dense crown; dark yellowish green needles, 6 to 9 inches long (15-23 cm), in fascicules of 3

Watering Needs: Little to moderate water, tolerates poor soils

Propagation: Seeds

Propagation: Seed or occasionally cutting, grafting/budding, layering

• by semi-hardwood stem tip cuttings, in late autumn. Apply IBA TALC 8000 PPM. Use intermittent mist. Root in 19 weeks. Juvenile cuttings from younger trees root best..
• by air layers, in early summer. remove a ring of bark.
• by side graft grafts, in late winter.
• by seeds, in spring. The seeds can be harvested in autumn. The seeds need 40F for 2mo..

Pinus taeda, U.S.D.A. Forest Service Collection, courtesy of the Hunt Institute

Fruiting Habits:
The Loblolly Pine bears oval, rust brown cones, 3 to 6 inches long (7.5-15 cm), in clusters of 2 to 5, maturing in early autumn.