Species Profiles Cumulative Quiz 6 View

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loblolly pine (Pinus taeda)
Family: Pinaceae

 

A table detailing the characteristics of the loblolly pine

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Form:

This is a large tree reaching 90-110 ft. in height and 2-3 ft. in dbh. It generally has a dense crown and straight bole.

Form of a loblolly pine

Needles:
 Arrangement: 3 per fascicle

 Length: 4-9″

 Other: stiff needles

Needles of a loblolly pine

Bark:

The bark is dark and scaly when young becoming furrowed with age. It usually has a gray to red-brown tint with platy scales exposing brown inner layers.

Bark of a loblolly pine

Cones:

Cones are cylindrical to ovid (similar to slash pine).

Cone of a loblolly pine

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Needles often smell like citrus fruit. It has a larger cone than shortleaf pine.

Range:

It grows in Virginia south along the coast and west to Texas.

Silvics:

It is planted on a variety of soils, but prefers sites with ample moisture and poor drainage.

Ecological and Cultural Importance:

It is the leading commercial southern pine. The seeds are eaten by a variety of songbirds and small mammals.