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Dwarf Loblolly Pine

Pinus taeda (PY-nus TAY-duh)

Family: Pinaceae Unknown Understory (15-40 ft)

Dwarf loblolly pine is a dwarf, needled evergreen tree in the pine family (Pinaceae). This cultivar of the loblolly pine typically does not lose its lower branches as it grows older, which is a trait of the loblolly pine. It also grows slowly, eventually reaching only 10 to 20 feet in height and 10 to 15 feet in width. Plant this pine in full sun and in acidic clay or sand. The thick bark makes this tree less susceptible to damage from wildfires. It is also resistant to deer. The fruits, twigs and foliage can cause a significant amount of litter. This tree can be used in most landscape areas from containers to yards, meadows, slopes and naturalized areas, or in specialized areas such as Asian, rock or native gardens. It can be an accent or a barrier. Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests affecting this tree are pine bark beetles, borers, pine tip moths and sawflies. It is susceptible to fusiform rust and heart rot. This tree is susceptible to wind damage. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Pinus taeda .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 40 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 2 - Understory (15-40 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

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 plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Perennial; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in. | Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Rounded
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Long needles in dense, brushy clusters, 3 needles per bundle
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower detail
Insignificant
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit size
> 3 inches long
Fruit detail
Dry-hard cone
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Squirrels and other small mammals eat the fruit
Attracts
Small Mammals
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Lawn; Meadow; Naturalized Area; Patio; Pool/Hardscape; Recreational Play Area; Slope/Bank; Walkways; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; Rock Garden
Design feature
Accent; Barrier; Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Mass Planting; Screen/Privacy
Garden tags
#evergreen #drought tolerant #deer resistant #native tree #fragrant needles #interesting bark #wind damage prone #dwarf
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Redheaded Pine Sawfly; Southern Pine Sawyer; Southern Pine Beetle; Pine Engraver Beetles; Pests of Conifers; Pitch Gall Midges; Pine Bark Beetles; Pine Colaspis; Powdery Pine Needle Aphid; Deodar Weevil / Eastern Pine Weevil
Problems
Messy
Resistant to
Deer
Fire risk
high flammability

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.