Pinus taeda  

Loblolly Pine

Family: Pinaceae
Zone: 7-9                                 Average Size: 60’H x 30’W

Identification: 

-Needle leaf 6-19” long, 3 needles per fascicle, evergreen
-Bark forms large scaly plates that flake off exposing dull brown inner bark
-Yellow-green pollen cones in early spring
-Brown cone, oblong with sharp recurved spine on the scale
-Strong central trunk with lower branches drooping

Note:   Very similar to Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) in form and character although not as tolerant of wet soils. Fast growing, the canopy also creates filtered light suitable for shade-loving understory plants. Long lived for a pine and reported to better withstand ice and snow loads than Slash Pine. This could possibly be a function of the drooping habit of the branches?

Campus Location: Pentagon, southeast lawn