Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)

Plantae>Coniferophyta>Pinopsida>Pinales>Pinaceae>Pinus taeda L.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) tree

Loblolly Pine is an abundant large tree of all but the driest areas -- probably the most common tree in the eastern half of North Carolina. It frequently colonizes old fields.

Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) leaves

The leaves are about 15-20 cm long and usually have 3-4 needles in a bundle.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) male cones

Male cones open in early April, releasing huge clouds of yellow pollen, literally covering every surface in the southeastern United States.

Durham Co., NC 4/11/09.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) and Pond Pine (Pinus serotina)

Side-by-side comparison of Loblolly Pine (left) and Pond Pine (Pinus serotina) (right). They're difficult to tell apart without a close look at the cones. Pond Pine cones are as broad as long and have weak prickles. Unlike Loblolly Pine, Pond Pine may sprout needles and short branches directly from the trunk. Pond Pine is generally smaller in stature than Loblolly and does not grow as straight.

Bladen Co., NC 10/19/2008.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) cone

Female Loblolly Pine cones are larger than those of Shortleaf and Virginia, smaller than those of Longleaf. They are armed with stout prickles.

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) cones

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) cones

Granville Co., NC 4/27/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) cone

Orange Co., NC 5/3/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) cone

Orange Co., NC 5/3/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) cone

Orange Co., NC 5/3/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) cone

Orange Co., NC 5/3/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) tree

Large tree.

Durham, NC 9/9/06.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) bark

The bark on medium-sized trees is dark gray-brown, deeply furrowed, and blocky.

Durham Co., NC 12/4/05.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) bark

Bark of a large tree.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) bark

Bark of a large tree.

Orange Co., NC 4/12/08.

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) bark

Large tree.

Wake Co., NC 6/8/2012.

More information:
Chesapeake Bay Program
Gymnosperm Database
Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
US Forest Service Silvics Manual
Virginia Tech Dendrology

Recommended Tree, Shrub, and Woody Vine Identification Guides