How to identify Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)
Loblolly pine, also known as Oldfield pine, Frankincense pine
Loblolly pine is an evergreen conifer displaying a stately growth habit, characterized by a tall, straight trunk that often achieves heights of 60 to 90 feet (18 to 27 meters) and a breadth of 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters). This species features an array of needle-like leaves, which contribute to its lush, conical silhouette. The rapid growth rate distinguishes loblolly pine from its pine relatives, marking it as a swiftly ascending presence in the landscape.
Lifespan: Perennial
Plant Type: Tree
Leaf Type: Evergreen
Tall trunk, reaching 60-90 feet (18-27 meters), with a conical silhouette from needle-like leaves.
Distinctive cones: red to yellow male cones 1 inch (2.5 cm), yellow to purple female cones 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm).
Fruit composed of 3-6 inch (7.6-15.2 cm) ovoid-cylindrical cones with rusty-brown color and sharply-spined scales.
Dark yellow-green needles in bundles of three, measuring 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) with toothed edges.
Sturdy, erect stems with a rough, grayish-brown bark, reaching up to 100 feet (30 meters) with tiered branches.
The leaves of loblolly pine are dark yellow-green needles arranged in bundles of three, each measuring 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) in length, with 1-inch (2.5 cm) long sheaths. These needles are finely-toothed, stiff, and slender. They grow in clusters on dwarf shoots and typically fall off during the tree's third year.
Loblolly pine has distinctive flowers in the form of cones. The male cones are red to yellow, measuring around 1 inch (2.5 cm) in length, while the female cones are yellow to purple and slightly larger, about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long. These cones emerge in spring, typically from March to April, and play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle. The male cones are often clustered, and the female cones are typically solitary or in pairs.
Loblolly pine's stems are erect, straight, and tall, with a robust and sturdy structure. They are typically covered in a rough, grayish-brown bark which becomes furrowed with age. The stems bear branches high above the ground, providing a clear trunk below. Young twigs quickly shed their needle fascicles except at the apex. Upper branches curve upwards while lower ones droop and eventually fall off, giving the stem a distinctive, tiered appearance as the tree matures, reaching up to 100 feet (30 meters).
The fruit of loblolly pine consists of stout, woody cones that are ovoid-cylindrical to narrow conical in shape, measuring 3-6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm) in length. These cones exhibit a distinct rusty-brown hue and possess sharply-spined scales that protrude noticeably, each ending in a recurved spine located dorsally on the umbo. Typically found in groups of 1-3, the cones release their seeds between fall and winter, persisting on the tree for approximately a year before detachment. Accompanying these larger seed-bearing structures are smaller, yellow-brown pollen cones arranged in clusters of 6-12, observable during their display from October to November.
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Scientific Classification of Loblolly pine
