North American Native Tree Has an Extremely Fast Growth Rate! The long, lush leaves of the Longleaf Pine Tree add an elegant feel to any landscape. Pinus palustris, whose species name means ‘of the marsh‘, was named the state tree for North Carolina in 1963. The evergreen trees naturally prune their lower branches enabling them to grow almost completely straight. The reddish brown, scaly bark will peel as birds and wildlife search for insects that live inside. The longleaf pine needles are long and dark emerald green. They grow in clusters at the end of branches. Like all pine trees, the longleaf pine cone has both male and female counterparts found on the same tree. Pine cones typically appear in the late fall or winter of the second year. They are the largest fruit of all southern pines and contain seeds that provide food for wildlife such as deer, mice, and squirrels. This Pine tree can reach up to 80 to 100 feet tall and 30-40 feet wide at full size maturity and can live for over 300 years. The longleaf pine growth rate is up to 2-3 feet per year until they become mature trees. They are the perfect pine trees for privacy! Pine tree ecosystems consist of rare plant and animal species in a coniferous forest habitat. These habitats typically occur in places with warm summers and cool winters and are of the most biodiverse in the United States. Bird species such as red cockaded woodpeckers and brown headed nuthatches frequently nest in pine forests. These fast growing trees are a true treasure plentifully found in many southern forests in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. PLANTING PINE TREES FOR SALE This pine species prefers sandy, dry, acidic soil conditions and prefers full sun to grow fully. The trunk of this evergreen conifer is covered in thick, peeling bark and the long evergreen pine needle leaves can grow up to 18 inches long. Perfect for windbreaks or to provide privacy. These trees come rooted in a container in soil and not as southern longleaf pine seedlings. They are already established trees out of their grass stage and can tolerate a variety of planting conditions. You can also check out our Evergreen Tree Grow Guide for more information on planting evergreens. The best time of year to plant a pine tree is in spring or fall. If planting trees in fall, you will still have plenty of time to establish before winter since they are so fast growing. The Long Leaf Pine tree is fire resistant making it excellent for mass plantings. They can grow extremely fast, so it is important to choose a planting site to last for many years to come. Grow pines best in the southeastern United States in USDA plant hardiness zones 7-10. These shade trees are also salt spray tolerant and safe to plant in coastal areas. Be sure to water thoroughly the first year of planting to establish a strong root system. Help restore longleaf pine forests by purchasing our Longleaf Pine for sale today!
