FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
Often called "old field pine" because of its tendency to invade abandoned fields. Cones approximately twice as long as wide.
Description: Medium to large evergreen tree.
Leaves: Needles in bundles of 3 and 15 to 20 cm long.
Flowers/Fruit: Prickly brown female cones remain on the tree for 3 years; about 10 cm long. Less conspicuous male pollen bearing cones found at branch ends. Pollen released in profusion March/April; cones mature October/November.
Habit and Range: Wet flats, old fields, in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina; very tolerant of range in moisture levels, though scarce in deep sands.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) can be confused with Pinus palustris (longleaf pine), which has extremely large cones and thick twigs, with much longer needles (25 to 40 cm long). Pinus taeda can also be confused with Pinus serotina (pond pine), which has flat-ended cones and a more crooked overall habit.
Click here to view Pinus palustris.
Click here to view Pinus serotina.
Link to side-by-side comparisons page
