PlantFiles: Longleaf Pine, Georgia Pine, Southern Yellow Pine
Pinus palustris

Longleaf Pine appears to be completely hardy here in Wilmington, Delaware (Zone 7a). I planted a small 2-foot specimen and in 5 years, it is already around 15 feet tall. When in sandy soil, transplanted Longleafs sometimes have a problem of windthrow (blowing over) because transplants may not always develop the proper taproot for stability. However, planted in the heavy clay soil here, my specimen seems very firmly established and has so far shown no sign of being blown over, despite the open exposed spot it is planted in. As some have mentioned, this species is not well adapted to snow and ice. For that reason, a southern exposure is advisable in Zone 7 so the ice and snow will melt off of it more quickly.

Beautiful tree butI would not recommend it to those living N of Baltimore or Wilmington DE; because of snow and ice! We own one in SE PA 15 miles WNW of Lancaster, 75 miles from Baltimore and Philadelphia; and it requires a lot of roping and stakes to even keep it reasonably straight-growing.

This is definitely the tree that "built the south". It is very majestic with its needles up to 18 inches long. It has been said that back in the days of the virgin longleaf pine forests, that you could hear the singing of the trees in the wind.

For anyone who wants a pine tree in the south, you should consider this tree. It has a massive taproot that makes it very windfirm, it is drought tolerant, and it is more resistant to pine beetles than the other southern pines.

From my observations, longleaf pine had the best survival rate of all pines (and less damage than almost any other trees) during the central Florida hurricanes of 2004. Some of the larger trees growing on wet soils were susceptible to tipping over due to the soil being saturated from heavy rains. Very few seemed to have snapped trunks, except where weakened by Red-cockaded woodpecker cavities (which is why all large longleaf pines should be conserved, not just those with existing woodpecker cavities).

A very handsome , straight trunked tree of the South. It has very long needles, 8" to 18" grouped in 3's, which are usually clustered at the ends of the twigs. This gives this pine a unique 'tufted' appearance.

It has very big cones, 6' to 10" long and they are very conspicous beneath the trees.

The long, grasslike needles of these pines protect the seedlings from fires for several years, until they are more mature.

Once a valuable timber tree in the South, and an important source of turpentine, it is being replaced with the Slash Pine.

It will cross pollinate with the Loblolly Pine and a hybrid will result.