Pinus palustris aka Longleaf Pine

Pinus palustris is also called longleaf pine. This evergreen tree belongs to the pine family. It grows wild in the southern United States. Its range runs from Virginia to Texas and south to Florida. It grows on sandhills, flats, and land with scrub. These sites often lie near the coast. Their soils can be poor and acid, with little organic matter.

This tree needs ample space above and around it. Sources give heights of 60–120 feet [18.3–36.6 metres]. Trees can reach 125 feet [38.1 metres]. Those grown in gardens often stay below these upper limits. The crown spans 30–40 feet [9.1–12.2 metres]. A straight trunk holds stout branches. These form an uneven, open crown. Young trees spend five to seven years as low, grasslike tufts. In this stage, they grow roots but gain little height. Sources describe later growth as moderate to fast.

The bark grows thick and forms rough plates with age. It has orange-brown, reddish brown, and gray shades. Twisted branches bear thick twigs, which darken with age. Bright green needles grow in bundles, most often of three. They are 0.5–1.2 feet [0.15–0.36 metres] long and bend with ease. Large, silver-white buds help you know the tree in winter. It makes cones, not true flowers or fruit. Male cones start purple-blue. Female cones start dark purple, then turn brown. They mature in their second year. Their scales have sharp tips. Seeds fall in September and October.

The tree grows best in full sun but accepts light shade. It prefers acid soil that drains well. It accepts sand, loam, and clay. It also grows in soil that is slightly alkaline. Once trees take root, they cope well with drought and salt spray. Sources place hardiness within USDA zones 7–10. Some give narrower limits within that range. A deep taproot makes young trees hard to move. The tree needs little pruning. Its open crown suits parks and large gardens. It also suits use as a specimen tree. Fallen needles make mulch, but needles and cones also leave litter.

Birds and squirrels eat the seeds. Wildlife finds shelter in the tree in winter. Imperial moth larvae feed on it. Red-cockaded woodpeckers make nest holes in living trunks. People use the wood for lumber and poles. Resin has supplied tar and turpentine. Processing the pulp also yields vanillin flavouring. This food use relies on processing. It does not show that leaves or seeds are edible. Pests and diseases rarely cause grave harm to garden trees. Borers and sawflies can still attack the tree. So can weevils and bark beetles. Branches can break, and the tree can burn with ease.