How To Grow Loblolly Pine Trees (Pinus Taeda)

Muffin the "Kittencat" and bare root Loblolly Pine tree saplings.

The Loblolly Pine Pinus Taeda is a very rewarding tree to grow, even for beginners. It is easy to care for and fast growing. It will not only add a privacy screen and wind break along with year round greenery but it will also provide you with a sense of accomplishment. All that from just one tree.

The Loblolly Pine is a well recognized and extremely aromatic American timber tree. It is one of the fastest growing pine trees, making it popular for relatively quick all natural landscaping screens. It has beautiful broad reddish brown bark that grows in plates or shingles and long pale green needles. When mature it also produces well formed pine cones.

The needles can be used in plant based recipes and the pine cones make a fun and tasty treat for bunnies and other small pets who love to chew. You can also use the pine cones and green needles in the home. They make great additions to natural goods like potpourri, ornaments, and centerpieces to name a few.

If you are fan of wildlife and enjoy feeding the birds, Loblolly pines provide shelter and food  for a variety of birds such as chickadees, wild turkeys, nuthatches, bobwhites, and towhees. Lobololly pines also provide food for small woodland critters such as chipmunks and squirrels.

If you like to make your own medicinal and cleaning products as well as enjoy the great outdoors, you'll be happy to know that pine is antibacterial and antifungal. It's antiseptic properties make it a great addition to DIY home cleaners. Pine resin can even be used for hand crafted Vegan wax food wraps in place of beeswax. Sticky pine sap is also naturally antibacterial, making it an excellent alternative to over the counter antibacterial treatments with questionable ingredients. Apply the sap directly to the wound and cover.

Just planted bare root Loblolly Pine tree sapling.

Growing Guide:

A bare root seedling is dormant and must be kept moist but not sitting in water. When you are ready to plant, remove the plastic bag or wrap if applicable.

Dig a hole twice the width of the roots and deep enough that the roots just touch the bottom of the hole. Do not trim or cut the roots.

Fill the hole with soil. Don't pack the soil too firmly or water won't be able to drain through it to reach the roots.

Be sure to inspect the new tree frequently. While it is establishing, the soil needs to be kept consistently moist (but not soggy or muddy) and weed free. When weeds emerge, remove them. The younger or smaller the weeds are the easier they will be to remove.

Zone: 6-9
Sun: Full
Hardiness: -10 °F to 30 °F
Water: Moderate to extremely moist soil
Soil: Neutral to Acidic (loamy, clay, well drained, drought tolerant, moist, sandy)
Spacing: 25 ft to 30 ft
Height: 50 ft to 100 ft
Scientific Name: Pinus Taeda
Also Known As: Rosemary Pine, Bull Pine, Longstraw Pine, Old Field Pine, Indian pine

Once your sapling is established, it will require very little maintenance unless your soil is alkaline. Test your soil and amend if needed. For my property, the soil is not acidic enough. I add an organic soil acidifier such as OMRI approved Holy Tone twice a year, following the directions on the bag. Note: Holy Tone is usually cheaper at at home improvement store like Lowe's. Keep in mind that when you apply your tree amendment, it is distributed at the trees drip line not around the base of the trunk.

Photo by Gerry Dincher taken from arborday.org

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