Long Needle Southern Pine Tree or Pinus palustris have the longest needles of all southern pines. The needles are grouped in threes and arranged in tufts on the end of branches. Many species of birds, such as the white-breasted nuthatch, brown creeper, and red-cockaded woodpecker, love looking through it's bark searching for insects seeking refuge underneath. The cones are the largest of any pine in eastern North America. Care They need regular water while young but are highly drought-tolerant once established in USDA Zones 7–10. Growth Habit Its height can be 60-120' and a width of 30-50'. Starts growing slow until about year 5 and then it tends to speed up the growth process annually. Long Needle's mature during September to October of each year and seeds in the cones germinate within 1 week when the conditions are right. Toxicity For pets, when ingested, they can cause gastrointestinal irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and potential intestinal obstruction due to their sharp, indigestible nature. While more toxic to cats (potentially causing liver damage), they still pose risks to dogs. Deer & rabbit resistant.
