Evergreen

Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda

Sun: full sunHeight: 65–115 ft·Region: Southeastern U.S.; dominant pine in Maryland coastal plain

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is a native tree in Maryland (Evergreen). The sections below summarize where it grows, how to recognize it, and how it supports local ecosystems.

Habitat and range

Coastal plain pine woods, old fields, and plantations, Maryland’s common lowland pine.

Identification

Needles in bundles of three; large cones with sharp prickles; rapid height growth in youth.

Soil and moisture

Moist to dry acidic sands and loams; tolerates poor fertility after establishment.

Wildlife value

Pine seeds for birds and small mammals; open understories can host quail and pollinators in herb layer.

Uses and significance

Timber and pulp; fast screens; stormwater uptake on sandy sites.

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