Tree of the Month: Loblolly Pine Tree
The evergreen loblolly pine has many fine characteristics that have made it one of the most planted trees across the USA! This southern bottomlands native has a versatility and robustness that enables it to thrive in a wide variety of environments. Here, we’ll explore why this fast-growing yellow pine tree fits so well into the Nashville area’s landscape.
What Does a Loblolly Pine Look Like?
Loblolly pine trees are big and airy, with soft-looking tufts of light green needles. The profile of this pine is slim; the branches reach upwards, with the youngest groups of needles set up straight and tight like candles before they open up into sprays of bunchy foliage.
The rounded crown of a loblolly pine becomes more spacious as it grows, with mature trees having long, slender trunks with branches unevenly arranged in the upper portion of the tree. While each tree of any kind has a unique form, loblolly pines tend to have a distinctly individual appearance from specimen to specimen. Some have larger crowns than others with lots of variation in the shapes, sizes, and number of branches.
The needles of a loblolly pine are medium-sized (around six to eight inches long), and they grow in clusters of three to a bud, growing directly out of the branch. At the base of the clusters, loblolly needles tend to be sticky with the tree’s resin. The dark brown cones of a loblolly tree are medium-sized, very hard, and have sharp spines on the edges of the cone’s scales.
Loblolly pine bark is scaly, which is characteristic of other wetland trees (such as the swamp white oak). This type of bark helps protect the inner bark of a tree from regular exposure to moist conditions and accompanying pathogens. The light gray to brown plates of bark are uneven and flaky, without deep ridges or furrows.
As a species native to the bottomlands of the southeastern US, loblolly pines grow naturally near bodies of water or in lower ground where water collects. These trees do well in clay-heavy, loamy, and sandy soil, and while they prefer slightly acidic ground, they will do just fine in any soil type. This versatility allows them to withstand a range of urban environmental conditions, including acidic soils, periodic flooding, and some heat and drought. The tree’s resinous wood and tough needles keep it green even in the coldest months of the year.
How Fast Does a Loblolly Pine Grow?
The growth rate of loblolly pine trees is above average, bending and twisting as they take on heights of two to three feet per year. They like to grow in full sunlight, quickly joining the tallest trees in any location (so don’t plant them too close to power lines!). A loblolly pine can grow up to a hundred feet tall, and with good care, it can easily live for over a hundred years.
What Does “Loblolly” Mean?
The common name, loblolly pine, comes from its tendency to grow in wet soil. “Loblolly” is an older English term for porridge, referring to the muddy or clay-heavy conditions that happily host the species. The tree has also been called the swamp pine for this reason.
The tree’s scientific name, Pinus taeda, means “resin pine” or “torchwood pine,” referring to the amount of resin that these fast-growing trees contain. The soft wood was valued for its use as torches in the past. The even, hot, and bright burn of the loblolly pine’s resinous wood made it an excellent choice for providing a consistent source of light without much preparation.
Planting Loblolly Pine Trees in Nashville
Loblolly pines have a lot to offer when planted in Nashville’s environment! These trees add height to the landscape, mingling with the other biggest trees in a neighborhood. While mature specimens don’t provide a lot of shade in comparison to younger loblollies and bushier species, these native trees perform many ecosystem services (such as air filtration, soil stabilization, and wildlife habitat) in addition to a particular visual interest throughout every season wherever they are planted.
Embrace the Loblolly Pine and Other Trees!
The Nashville Tree Conservation Corps makes the loblolly pine tree readily available to local residents through our annual tree sale! For those who don’t have the opportunity to plant a tree themselves, we can plant one for you when you donate a tree, and we welcome volunteers to participate in our planting and maintenance events.
NTCC’s activities are funded in large part by the donations of residents and local groups, and we sincerely appreciate the support that enables us to fulfill our mission to tend to and improve Nashville’s canopy! To stay informed on our activities, tree care tips, and tree news, subscribe to our email newsletter or check out our Linktree for other ways to connect with us!