Learn how to grow and care for this iconic Southern tree.

Light

Longleaf pine is a tree that needs to be grown in full sun to thrive.

Soil

A tree with a long taproot, longleaf pine wants a deep, sandy loam.

Water

Longleaf pine tree has average water needs.

Temperature and Humidity

The region to which longleaf pine is native is characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters. 

Fertilizer

Fertilize longleaf pine three times annually with a fertilizer that has a 3:1:2 NPK ratio.

Types of Longleaf Pine

No cultivars, varieties, or subspecies of longleaf pine are available. However, longleaf pine tree does sometimes produce natural hybrids with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and slash pine (Pinus elliottii).

Pruning

Some homeowners do not like the look of the lower limbs on the trunk of a longleaf pine and prefer to prune them off. If you choose to do this, make your pruning cuts flush with the trunk. You can prune in summer, fall, or winter; avoid pruning in spring, because this is when the sap is flowing. It’s best to remove, at most, a few branches each year, so that you don’t slow down the growth of the plant excessively.

Propagating Longleaf Pine

Longleaf pine is sometimes propagated through cuttings taken in late fall, as follows:

How to Grow Longleaf Pine From Seed

You can also grow longleaf pine from seed. In fact, this is the preferred propagation method. Here’s how:

Overwintering

In zones 7 to 9, no particular precautions need to be taken to overwinter longleaf pine. The plant may sometimes survive in zone 6 with the help of mulch, but, if you are attempting this, gently knock off any snow and ice that accumulates on its branches in winter. The branches are not designed to bear such loads and can easily break because of them.

Common Problems for Longleaf Pine

Longleaf pine is less susceptible to pests and diseases than are many similar pines. Nonetheless, it is a good idea to be vigilant and to implement sound practices that will further discourage such problems.

Bark Beetles

If your longleaf pine tree is losing needles, this can be a sign of an infestation of bark beetles. Bark beetles are more likely to attack trees that are stressed than they are healthy trees. For this reason, even though longleaf pine is relatively drought-resistant, be sure to water it during dry periods so as to avoid stressing it. Also avoid inflicting mechanical injuries on your tree (as when mowing), since wounds are an open invitation to pests and diseases.

Root Rot

Yellowing leaves can be a sign of root rot, a disease hard to detect otherwise since it develops underground. Since this disease can be caused by waterlogged soil, avoid overwatering longleaf pine.