Common names: rosemary pine, old field pine, bull pine, Indian pine, longstraw pine.
The loblolly pine is an extremely fast-growing pine with a pyramidal shape when young. It is an excellent screening tree when young but must be under-planted as it matures as it loses its lower limbs as it grows older. The loblolly quickly becomes a tall, stately, dappled-shade tree offering a good windbreak.
Its abundance and usefulness made it popular with the pioneers of North America. Its popularity has continued into modern times as it is the most popular commercially produced tree. Its rapid growth rate makes it an easy choice for cultivated pine plantations for pulpwood and lumber.
Terra Sombra Farms is actually located in a vast loblolly pine forest mixed with hardwoods that is quite unique. It is the only forest of its kind in Texas outside of East Texas. The beautiful forest sits on gently rolling hills from Columbus, Texas, to Bastrop, Texas.
Loblolly Pine Native Range
The loblolly pine is native to the 15 southeastern States from New Jersey to Florida and Texas as well as being successful in Colorado.
It typically grows from sea level to about 2400′ in a variety of conditions from poorly-drained low wet areas to alluvial forests and flatlands to well-drained upland soils. In fact, loblolly means “mud puddle”.
General Characteristics of Loblolly Pine
- Tree Size: tall to extremely tall tree
- Growth rate: Fast
- Exposure: sun to part shade
- Fruit Characteristics: female cones with winged seeds
- Height: generally 50-80 feet, but can grow as tall as 110 feet
- Width: generally 30-35 feet wide
- Plant Character: evergreen
- Heat Tolerance: very high
- Water Requirements: high, drought tolerant when mature
- Soil Requirements: prefer acidic loam, but accept most soil including sand and clay, alkaline or acidic soil, wet or well-drained. Live oaks are also tolerant of aerosol salt.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 6b-9b
Leaf Shape & Habit
The six to nine-inch-long evergreen needles turn light green to brown during the winter.
- Leaf arrangement: alternate, typically in groups of 3 per fascicle, sometimes 2
- Leaf type: simple
- Leaf margin: entire
- Leaf shape: needle-like (filiform)
- Leaf venation: parallel
- Leaf type and persistence: fragrant, evergreen, needled evergreen
- Leaf blade length: 6 to 9 inches
- Leaf color: light green
Bark, Limbs & Canopy
When young, the tree is pyramidal.
As it matures and loses its lower limbs it can take on a more scraggly appearance though many specimens maintain heavy limbing.
The loblolly pine’s bark is gray-brown and scaly. As it ages, the bark turns red-brown and develops deep furrows and ridges. The bark of loblolly is very thick making it very fire-resistant.
Flowers, Fruits, & Seeds
The male pollen cones (catkins) form in the spring on lower branches and release pollen. Soon after, falling to the ground. So that the tree does not self-pollinate by pollen falling straight down, reducing genetic variety, the female cones grow on higher branches. The loblolly is wind-pollinated.
The often-paired seed (female) cones are three to six inches long, red/brown, and have very sharp spines. They persist on the tree for 2-3 years while forming seeds in the closed cone. The cones mature in the fall by opening and falling. After they have fallen, the cones will close up when wet and re-open as the cone dries. Seed dispersal occurs through the wind as the seed is winged as well as being deposited by birds and squirrels.
Habitat & Conservation
The loblolly pine is an important resources for a variety of birds and mammals for nesting and cover as well as food for granivorous animals.
The loblolly attracts butterflies, also and serves as a host for Elfin butterfly larvae.
Fireflies, also called lightning bugs, mate and lay their eggs in the canopy of loblolly and other native pine trees. Larvae can flourish among the needles and adult fireflies can rest and be shaded during the daytime making the loblolly a perfect habitat for fireflies.
Due to its fast-growing nature and commercial appeal, it is unlikely the loblolly will fall out of favor, but many urban and suburban homeowners prefer not to have pine needles in their yards, but should consider the benefits of fast shade and excellent wildlife habitat when choosing a tree for their home.
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