Loblolly Pine
Pinus taeda
The backbone of the Southern timber industry — a fast, tall pine grown in vast plantations for lumber and pulp. Self-prunes lower limbs to leave a long clear bole. Highly susceptible to southern pine beetle outbreaks, which can kill stands quickly during droughts.
Field reference
Family
Pinaceae
Growth rate
Fast
Mature size
60–90 ft tall, 25–35 ft spread
Hardiness zone
6–9
Soil preference
Acidic, moist to wet bottomlands; tolerant of poorly-drained clay
Sun
Full sun
Pruning window
Late winter to early spring
Wood properties
Moderately dense, resinous southern yellow pine (~0.51 SG); strong structural lumber. Tall straight stems; standing dead stems from beetle kill are a falling hazard.
Native range
Southeastern United States coastal plain and Piedmont, New Jersey to Texas
Green weight
50 lb/ft³
Pests & diseases to watch
Common questions
How fast does loblolly pine grow?
Very fast — two to three feet per year on good sites when young, which is why it dominates Southern timber plantations and reaches merchantable size in 25–35 years.
What kills loblolly pines so suddenly in summer?
Southern pine beetle is the prime suspect. Look for popcorn-like pitch tubes on the trunk and fading crowns; outbreaks spread tree-to-tree and require fast removal of infested stems.
Related species in Pinaceae
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