Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

Loblolly Pine

Woodlot

Taxonomy

Division:
Coniferophyta | - Conifers
Family:
Pinaceae
Genus:
Pinus
Species:
Pinus taeda

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Tree
Height:
More than 40 ft
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
feb, mar
Bloom Colors:
Yellow, Brown

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★☆☆☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Battaristis vittella, Cacao moth (Cydia erotella), Cydia ingens, Dioryctria pygmaeella, Dioryctria taedae, Dioryctria taedivorella, Eucosma nr. caecana, European pine shoot moth (Rhyacionia buoliana), Imperial Moth (Eacles imperialis), Melanocinclis lineigera, Nantucket pine tip moth (Rhyacionia frustrana), Petrova comstockiana, pitch pine tip moth (Rhyacionia rigidana), Pococera melanogrammos, Rhyacionia aktita, Shortleaf Pinecone Borer (Eucosma cocana), southern nepytia (Nepytia semiclusaria), Southern pine coneworm moth (Dioryctria amatella), Southern pine sphinx (Lapara coniferarum), Subtropical Pine Tip Moth (Rhyacionia subtropica), Variable Climbing Cutworm (Xestia elimata), webbing coneworm moth (Dioryctria disclusa), Eastern Tailed-Blue (Incisalia niphon)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius), Carolina Satyr (Hermeuptychia sosybius), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus), Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Pterourus glaucus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), Gulf Fritillary (Dione vanillae), Horace's Duskywing (Gesta Evans), Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa), Little Yellow (Pyrisitia lisa), Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), Red-Spotted Purple (astyanax) (Limenitis arthemis), Red-Spotted Purple (astyanax) (Limenitis arthemis), Southern Pearly Eye (Lethe portlandia), Southern Pearly Eye (Lethe portlandia), Whirlabout (Polites vibex), Whirlabout (Polites vibex)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, acidic, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Commonly found in the southeastern United States, thrives in poor, sandy soils.

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Seeds are cold stratified for 60 days

Source: npn.rngr.net