Pinus palustris
longleaf pine
Southeastern United States coastal plain
Overview
Pinus palustris is a large evergreen conifer in the pine family, reaching 80-100 feet (24-30 m) tall, occasionally 115 feet (35 m), with a tall, straight trunk and an open, high crown of stout branches. The dark green needles grow in bundles of three and reach 8-18 inches (20-45 cm) long, clustered in dense tufts at the branch tips. Young trees pass through a grass stage, staying low and grass-like for several years while building a deep root system, then shoot upward rapidly. The cones are large, 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) long, with a sharp prickle on each scale. Native to the coastal plain of the southeastern United States, it forms open, park-like savannas maintained by frequent ground fire, to which it is well adapted; thick bark and the protected bud of the grass stage let it survive flames that kill competitors. It grows in deep sandy, well-drained, acidic soils and tolerates drought, heat, and poor ground. The resinous wood is dense and strong.
Native Range
Native to the coastal plain of the southeastern United States, from southeastern Virginia south to Florida and west to eastern Texas. It once dominated open pine savannas on sandy uplands, flatwoods, and rolling sandhills.Suggested Uses
Pinus palustris is grown as a large shade and timber tree, in pine savanna restorations, and in parks and large landscapes in the Southeast. It supports wildlife such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise, and the needles are gathered as pine straw mulch.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height80' - 115'
Width/Spread30' - 45'
Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years
Bloom Information
As a conifer it produces cones rather than flowers. Pollen is shed from male cones in early spring, usually March. Female cones take about 20 months to mature, ripening and dropping seed in the fall of the second year.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Pinus palustris grows in full sun and deep, sandy, well-drained, acidic soils, and tolerates drought, heat, and low fertility. It needs open, sunny conditions and does not tolerate shade or crowding. Seedlings stay in a grass stage for several years, during which fire or competition control helps them establish. Once height growth begins, the tree grows steadily and lives for centuries. It is hard to transplant from larger stock because of its deep taproot, so it is usually started from container seedlings.Pruning
Little pruning is needed beyond removing dead or damaged branches. The tree self-prunes its lower limbs as it grows, leaving a clear trunk. Pruning is done in late winter when needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter