Loblolly Bay is an evergreen tree native to the Southeastern United States, commonly found in the coastal plains and southern Tidewater region of North Carolina, in moist but not wet areas. These areas include pocosins, bayheads, acidic, organic-rich swamp forests, wet pine savannas, and bay forests. In summer it has spectacular white Camellia-like flowers that are fragrant and can continue through frost. Loblolly Bay, often called Red Bay, reaches a height of 35 to 70 feet with a trunk diameter of 20 inches and a columnar or pyramidal, very open growth habit with a narrow, compact crown of spreading branches. The eventual size of the tree is dependent on soil moisture. Although evergreen, several individual leaves at a time will turn a brilliant scarlet color in the fall. It is typically a short-lived tree and can be difficult to grow in cultivation and is best purchased in a pot rather than digging from the wild but can still be finicky. Use this plant in wet but well-drained areas in sun to partial sun conditions. Or just enjoy it in its native habitat. Symmetric, narrow conical shape. Depending on soil conditions, may take a shrubby form or grow to a sizeable tree. Hybrid with Franklinia (not a NC native) is Gordlinia grandiflora {Franklinia x Gordonia}; cv 'Sweet Tea' Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: No major problems. It can be hard to find commercially. Root rot can be an issue for immature trees.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasional Flooding | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 75 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
1 - Canopy (>40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Columnar; Erect; Open; Pyramidal
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblanceolate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Doubly Serrate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery; Smooth
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Oblong dark green, glossy, leathery leaves, 4 to 6 inches long, with a toothed margin and a pale green underside. They are broad on their outer margins and typically 1 to 2 inches wide. A few may turn bright red in fall and drop gradually over the next year.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Fragrant; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The 2 to 3 inch white fragrant flower has 5 waxy, rounded, silky petals surrounding many golden stamens. They occur singly in the leaf axils near the ends of branches in mid-summer. The flowers are usually found high up on the tree, attached singly on long red flower stalks springing from the axils of leaves, not abundant and bloom sporadically. In North Carolina, the flowers are available from July to September.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long
Fruit detail
The oval fruit is a hard, pointed, woody, five-valved capsule with a downy coat and about 0.6 inches long with each valve containing four to eight flat, winged seeds. In North Carolina, the fruits are available from September to October.
Bark color
Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is light-colored from cream to carmine on young trees. Matures to medium grey to a red-brown coloration with flat-topped ridges and separated by deep narrow furrows.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Green and brown stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern United States
Distribution
AL , FL , GA , MS , NC , SC
Wildlife value
The loblolly bay provides winter and extreme weather coverage for wildlife. White-tailed deer browse the foliage. Bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinating insects enjoy the nectar from the flowers.