NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Pinus taeda

Loblolly Pine, Old Field Pine

Scientific Name:	Pinus taeda
Genus:	Pinus
Species Epithet:	taeda
Common Name:	Loblolly Pine, Old Field Pine
Plant Type	Tree
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Pinaceae (Pine Family)
Native/Alien:	NC Native
Invasive Status:	^(*Key)
Size:	72-100 ft., More than 100 ft.
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Dry, Moist
Bloom Time:	March, April
Growing Area:	Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Forests, fields, pine plantations, much more abundant and widespread than formerly. This may be the most numerous tree in the state. It is abundant across all of the NC Coastal Plain and the eastern 40% of the Piedmont; less numerous in the central Piedmont.
Leaf Arrangement:	Fascicled (Pines)
Leaf Retention:	Evergreen
Leaf Type:	Leaves needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Simple
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Highest Wildlife Value
Landscape Value:	Suitable for home landscapes
State Rank:	S5: Secure ^(*Key)
Global Rank:	G5 - Secure ^(*Key)
Notes:	It is very susceptible to breakage from ice and snow because of its straight branches. Best for natural areas.
~10-15 yr old tree Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Close-up of branch. Needles of 3 per fascicle. Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Young sapling in winter with somewhat unusual color-maybe nutrient stressed? Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Close-up of pollen cones in early April Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Mature seed cone. Notice the sharp prickles on the cone scales Orange County, NC Bettina Darveaux
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record