Pine, Loblolly, Bare Root

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda)

Loblolly Pine is a fast-growing, long-lived native pine tree that plays a foundational role in southeastern U.S. forests, agroforestry systems, and reforestation efforts. Valued for its rapid growth, timber quality, and adaptability, this evergreen giant thrives in a wide range of soils and moisture levels, from upland sites to seasonally wet lowlands. It provides excellent wildlife habitat, supports native insect life, and is one of the most important trees for carbon sequestration in the eastern U.S. Loblolly is ideal for silvopasture, windbreaks, erosion control, and ecological restoration in warm temperate climates.

Key Characteristics

• Fast-growing pine for timber and reforestation
  Loblolly Pine is one of the fastest-growing native conifers, reaching harvestable size in as little as 25–30 years. It’s a leading species for timber and pulpwood in the Southeast and is also used extensively in carbon farming and afforestation.
• Provides food and cover for wildlife
  Its seeds are eaten by wild turkeys, songbirds, and small mammals. The dense evergreen canopy offers shelter and nesting habitat for birds, while its fallen needles provide overwintering cover for insects and soil organisms.
• Thrives in diverse conditions, including poor soils
  Loblolly tolerates acidic, sandy, compacted, or clay soils, as well as seasonal flooding. It performs best in full sun with medium to medium-wet soils but is remarkably resilient in challenging environments, making it valuable for degraded land restoration.
• Supports native insects and forest biodiversity
  As a host plant for various Lepidoptera species—including the Pine Devil Moth (Citheronia sepulcralis)—Loblolly contributes to insect biodiversity and plays a role in supporting forest food webs.
• Excellent in silvopasture and windbreak systems
  Loblolly's upright form and evergreen canopy make it suitable for windbreaks, field borders, and as a structural overstory species in silvopasture systems. It provides winter cover, moderates microclimates, and builds biomass quickly.

Product Details

• Native range: Southeastern U.S., from New Jersey to Texas
• Plant life cycle: Evergreen Tree
• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Medium to medium-wet; tolerant of acidic, clay, and poor soils
• Mature height: 60–100+ feet
• Bloom time: Spring (cones)
• Bloom color: Inconspicuous; male and female cones
• USDA Hardiness zones: 6–9

Loblolly Pine is a fast-growing, soil-stabilizing, and habitat-forming native tree that belongs in any long-term reforestation, silvopasture, or carbon farming plan in the southeastern U.S. Its resilience and value to both people and wildlife make it a cornerstone species in regenerative landscapes.