The Longleaf Pine Tree is a slow growing, evergreen conifer. Our Grass Stage Longleaf Pines at first glance look like a pine tree shrub. These are young trees that will grow upwards of 100 feet tall and have a lifespan of over 300 years! The longleaf pine is known for its green needlelike leaves that are 16-20 inches long and grow in clumps of 3's. They also produce pine cones in the later fall into winter after the tree has started to mature. These pine cones are the largest among southern pine varieties. This tree features scaled, cinnamon-brown bark on its straight trunk. It is a self pruning tree that sheds lower branches as the tree matures, giving you a vibrant canopy tree that is rarely matched in stature. It can take nearly 100 years for the single trunk tree to reach its mature height of 60 to 80 feet tall and 3 feet in diameter. The canopy of the longleaf pine is 30-40 feet wide at maturity. In the first few years of growth, the tree will grow slowly as it establishes its taproot. Once the tree builds a solid foundation, it will start to grow more rapidly upward with an average yearly growth rate of 2-3 feet. Pick an appropriate spot for your tree to spread its canopy and become a fixture in your landscape for years to come. 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. How to Plant: Dig a hole three times the width of the root ball of your plant. This will make it easier for the roots to spread out. Mix your native soil with gardening soil to provide extra nutrients, this step isn’t 100% necessary, but it certainly doesn’t hurt. Backfill the hole with the soil mixture and top with 3-4 inches of mulch to help retain moisture. Soak the plant with the hose afterward to hydrate the plant and help all of the soil and mulch get situated.
