Loblolly Pine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Pinus taeda

Last reviewed: September 2026

Loblolly pine is a fast growing evergreen conifer common across the southeastern United States, valued for timber and pulpwood production. It thrives in full sun with medium moisture and produces pollen cones from March through May.

Toxicity unknown

Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Loblolly Pine as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

720"–1200" H × 144"–180" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, DE, FL and 11 more states

Pollinators

butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Cross Timbers Texas Blackland Prairies East Central Texas Plains Western Gulf Coastal Plain South Central Plains Eastern Temperate Forests Piedmont Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Interior Plateau Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain

Loblolly Pine is a fast-growing native evergreen tree that can reach 60-100 feet tall with a straight trunk and pyramidal crown. It's one of the most common pines in East Texas, valued for its adaptability and year-round green color. The tree produces small cones and has long needles arranged in bundles of three.

Growing Loblolly Pine

Grow Loblolly Pine in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 720 to 1200 inches tall and spread 144 to 180 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Loblolly Pine takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Tree size exceeds typical HOA-friendly range
Best suited for backyard or with special approval

Wildlife value

This pine supports various wildlife including birds that nest in its branches and feed on its seeds. It also hosts butterfly caterpillars and provides shelter for many native species.

Common questions

When does loblolly pine bloom?: Loblolly pine produces its small pollen cones from March through May, with seed cones maturing later in the year.
How much sun and water does loblolly pine need?: It grows best in full sun and does well with medium moisture, though it can handle wetter bottomland sites or drier upland soils once established.
Is loblolly pine evergreen?: Yes, loblolly pine keeps its long needles year round, giving it a dense green canopy in every season.
Do butterflies use loblolly pine?: The eastern pine elfin butterfly uses loblolly pine and other pines as a larval host plant, feeding on the needles.
Is Loblolly Pine toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Loblolly Pine as toxic to livestock.
Is Loblolly Pine HOA-friendly?: Loblolly Pine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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Common questions

When does loblolly pine bloom?

Loblolly pine produces its small pollen cones from March through May, with seed cones maturing later in the year.

How much sun and water does loblolly pine need?

It grows best in full sun and does well with medium moisture, though it can handle wetter bottomland sites or drier upland soils once established.

Is loblolly pine evergreen?

Yes, loblolly pine keeps its long needles year round, giving it a dense green canopy in every season.

Do butterflies use loblolly pine?

The eastern pine elfin butterfly uses loblolly pine and other pines as a larval host plant, feeding on the needles.

Is Loblolly Pine toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Loblolly Pine as toxic to livestock.

Is Loblolly Pine HOA-friendly?

Loblolly Pine takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides