Loblolly pine--Pinus taeda

Loblolly pine is the most important economic pine in the southern United States and is known as “King Pine”. It comprises more than half of the standing pine volume. Loblolly pine is:

• shade intolerant and

• a plastic species--meaning through genetic improvements and natural selection, it can tolerate a wide variety of soil and site conditions.

The native range is primarily along the Gulf Coastal Plain but now can be found as far north as Illinois and New Jersey. Damage from harsh winters limit northward expansion. Landowners grow loblolly pine in intensively managed plantations. Thinning, fertilization, and prescribed fires can improve growth and volume of a stand. Loblolly pine is grown for pulpwood and saw timber in relatively short rotations compared to other pines. Wildlife such as white-tailed deer, squirrels, and bobwhite quail use loblolly stands. Even in intensively managed plantations, pine warblers, brown-headed nuthatches, and Bachman’s warbler all thrive.