Characteristics
| Hardiness zone | 6b |
|---|---|
| Flower color | yellow |
| Foliage type | evergreen |
| Plant form | oval |
| Mature height | 80 feet |
| Spread | 30 feet |
| Light requirements | full sun |
| Moisture requirements | dry to average |
| Plant origin | Texas Native |
Longleaf Pine
Botanical name: Pinus palustris
A tall native evergreen tree with bright green needles up to 14 inches long; large cones can persist up to two years; tolerant of variable conditions, makes a great windbreak, needs full sun.
Ornamental Features
Longleaf Pine has green foliage. The large fragrant needles remain green throughout the winter. The flowers are not ornamentally significant. The brown fruits are held in cones in late summer. The shaggy gray bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Longleaf Pine is an evergreen tree with a strong central leader and a shapely oval form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.
This tree will require occasional maintenance and upkeep. When pruning is necessary, it is recommended to only trim back the new growth of the current season, other than to remove any dieback. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;
Disease
Longleaf Pine is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Shade, Vertical Accent, Windbreaks and Shelterbelts
Planting and Growing
Longleaf Pine will grow to be about 80 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a high canopy with a typical clearance of 7 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. As it matures, the lower branches of this tree can be strategically removed to create a high enough canopy to support unobstructed human traffic underneath. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 80 years or more.
This tree should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is quite intolerant of urban pollution, therefore inner city or urban streetside plantings are best avoided. This species is native to parts of our region.
