5. Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) Pl.
21e,f; Map 77
Trees to 30 m tall. Trunks with reddish brown bark, the surface
breaking into scaly plates. Twigs yellowish brown to orangish brown, glabrous,
not glaucous, turning dark brown with age. Leaves in fascicles of 3, 13–23 cm
long, with 2 vascular bundles, flexible, persisting 3 years. Fascicle sheaths
persistent. Cones 6–13 cm long, brown, narrowly ovoid, symmetrical, not arched,
the scales not shiny, with a minute, usually curved spine near the tip. 2n=24.
Pollen shed March–April.
Introduced, reproducing locally in and around plantings, mostly
in the Ozarks and the Bootheel counties (native to the southeastern U.S. north to Maryland, west to Texas; planted widely in the eastern U.S.). Planted mostly as a
plantation tree for lumber.