Pinus palustris

longleaf pine

Pinaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

tree

Size:

To 120 ft tall by 30-50 ft wide

Life Span:

long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Evergreen. Young pines have an extended grass stage and then shoot up rapidly. Cones produced in spring, wind pollinated, and mature into fall. Long-lived: 200+ years.

Noted For:

Hurricane Wind Resistance

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Shade tree. Woodland tree.

Considerations:

Huge pine cones litter the ground, so not a good tree for a lawn.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Somewhat moist, no flooding ---- to ---- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Birds, Mammals

Known for its use by squirrels, especially fox squirrels. Birds also eat the nuts.





Old trees in well managed (properly burned) natural sandhill and flatwoods settings are used as cavity trees by red-cockaded woodpeckers.





Often used by perching raptors.  Bald eagles frequently nest in the upper crown.

Native Habitats:

Sandhill, mesic to dry flatwoods.