Loblolly Pine

Growth habit

Tree

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

DE & NJ West to Texas

Location

Comstock Knoll and Rhododendron Collection, Conifer Slope

Source of plant

NJ Forest Service Nursery

Description

Tree, 30-45m in height, native to the Atlantic coastal plain of the SE US, from Delaware and New Jersey to east Texas. It extends form sea level to 700m on the slopes of the Appalachians. The crown is dense and domed or conical with numerous spreading ascending branches. The buds are cylindric, 10-15 (-20)mm long. The needles are in fascicles of 2-3, light green, thin, stiff and twisted, 12-22cm long and 1-1.5mm wide. The pollen-cones are cylindric, 2-4 x 0.7-1cm, yellow. The seed cones are solitary or 2-5 together, symmetric, ovoid-conical, 6-15cm long, opening and falling when ripe. The seed-scales are thin and woody with a strong, sharp, downcurved spine on the umbo. A highly important tree for the paper industry.

USDA Hardiness Zone

7

Special characteristics

large conifer, winter interest