Longleaf Pine
Pinus palustris
The iconic pine of the southeastern longleaf savanna, with foot-long needles, large cones, and a fire-adapted life cycle — including a grass-like seedling 'grass stage' that resists fire for years before bolting upward. Once dominant across 90 million acres, the fire-maintained ecosystem is now a major conservation focus.
Field reference
Family
Pinaceae
Growth rate
Slow
Mature size
60–100 ft tall, 30–40 ft spread
Hardiness zone
7–10
Soil preference
Dry, sandy, infertile, well-drained soils; fire-dependent ecosystem
Sun
Full sun
Pruning window
Dormant season; mature trees self-prune to a high crown
Wood properties
Dense, heavy, strong, resinous southern yellow pine (~0.59 SG) — historically the premier structural and naval-stores pine. Strong straight stems; heavy resinous green wood.
Native range
Southeastern United States coastal plain, Virginia to Florida and east Texas
Green weight
52 lb/ft³
Pests & diseases to watch
Common questions
Why does my young longleaf pine look like a clump of grass?
That is the famous 'grass stage.' Longleaf seedlings invest in a deep root and a tuft of long needles for several years, resisting fire, before rapidly shooting up. It is normal and a sign of a healthy, fire-adapted tree.
Does longleaf pine need fire?
The ecosystem does — periodic low-intensity fire controls competing hardwoods and brush and prepares bare soil for seed. In managed landscapes, prescribed burning (where legal and safe) maintains healthy longleaf stands.
Related species in Pinaceae
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