Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda

The loblolly pine is a tall evergreen tree with long, thin needles and scaly bark. It grows along the edges of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers and wetlands.

Loblolly pines provide important habitat for wildlife, such as the Delmarva fox squirrel. Above, a Delmarva fox squirrel descends from the crown of a loblolly pine tree at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County, Md., on Dec. 18, 2020. The squirrel was eating seeds from pine cones before seeking shelter in a tree cavity. (Photo by Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program) USAGE REQUEST INFORMATION The Chesapeake Bay Program's photographic archive is available for media and non-commercial use at no charge. To request permission, send an email briefly describing the proposed use to requests@chesapeakebay.net. Please do not attach jpegs. Instead, reference the corresponding Flickr URL of the image. A photo credit mentioning the Chesapeake Bay Program is mandatory. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way or used in any way that suggests approval or endorsement of the Chesapeake Bay Program. Requestors should also respect the publicity rights of individuals photographed, and seek their consent if necessary.

Appearance

Long, thin, dark green or greenish-yellow needles grow on the loblolly pine in bundles of three. The tree's brown, oval cones grow to 3-6 inches and have short thorns. The loblolly pine tree's bark is dark brown or brownish-red bark and separates into scaly plates as the tree matures. Its tall, straight trunk will not have knots for up to 30 feet high. Loblolly pines will grow 70 to 90 feet tall.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

Reproductive buds form in June and flower in July to August. Male and female buds develop in October, but remain dormant until early February. Male buds are about one inch long and are greenish, yellowish or reddish. They form clusters on the previous year’s growth.

Female buds are oval-shaped and slightly smaller. They form on new growth and are fertilized the following spring. Cones, which contain the tree’s seeds, mature by the second October after flowering begins. Loblolly pines can live as long as 275 years.

Did You Know?

  • The loblolly pine provides important habitat for wildlife, particularly bald eagles.
  • Early colonists boiled loblolly pine resin into pitch or tar to preserve wooden boats and ship riggings.
  • Loblolly pines are considered the most commercially valuable type of wood in the southern United States. They are used for pulp, mulch and timber.

Sources and Additional Information

Tags:
Plants & Trees Trees & Shrubs Marshes & Wetlands Forests & Uplands