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Longleaf pitch pine

Pinus elliottii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Longleaf pitch pine (Pinus elliottii) is a perennial tree native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 2 more states. It blooms in February and March. The flowers draw wind pollinated.

Longleaf pitch pine (Pinus elliottii)
Photo: (c) Jay Horn, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Longleaf pitch pine (Pinus elliottii) 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.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

240"–1080" H × 180"–480" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar

Native to

AL, FL, GA, LA and 2 more states

Pollinators

wind pollinated

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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Longleaf pitch pine.

A tall, straight-trunked evergreen pine with long dark green needles in bundles and large woody cones. Develops an open, high canopy typical of fire-adapted pine flatwoods, dropping needles and cones steadily through the year.

Growing Longleaf pitch pine

Grow Longleaf pitch pine in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 240 to 1080 inches tall and spread 180 to 480 inches wide.

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Wildlife value

Provides critical nesting habitat for red-cockaded woodpeckers and other cavity-nesting birds, and its seeds feed squirrels and songbirds.

Common questions

How much sun does Longleaf pitch pine need?
Longleaf pitch pine grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Longleaf pitch pine bloom?
Longleaf pitch pine blooms in February and March.
Where is Longleaf pitch pine native?
Longleaf pitch pine (Pinus elliottii) is native to AL, FL, GA, LA and 2 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Longleaf pitch pine attract?
Longleaf pitch pine draws wind pollinated.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Longleaf pitch pine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.