Loblolly Pine

Loblolly Pine

(Pinus taeda)

The Pine Family (Pinaceae)

Loblolly pine is a tall tree with alternate, evergreen needles in bundles of three; deep-furrowed, rectangular bark; long yellow flowers and medium sized cones.

Habitat:

Grows in sandy or gravelly savannas, damp lowlands and hilly woodlands.

Interesting Facts:

This tree, whose name means “mud puddle,” is the most important commercial pine in the southeast because of its quick growth and size. The flavor extract vanillin is created from its pulpwood. Chemicals from its resin have been used as a liniment, antiseptic and diuretic. Host plant to the Southern Pine Sphinx Moth.

Fruit:

Red-brown cones 3-6” in length with spiked scales producing papery winged seeds in early fall.

Flower:

Male flowers long cylindrical, reddish-yellow clusters at branch tips: Female flowers yellow to purple.

Wildlife value:

Cover and food source for multiple woodpecker species, squirrels and other small mammals.

Bark