General Information
Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Pine flatwoods, swamps, sandhills, and coastal uplands
Native States: Southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and South Carolina
Growing Zones: 8-10
Size at Maturity: 60-100 feet tall, 30-40 feet wide
Phenology: Evergreen
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Fast
Growth Habit: Upright, pyramidal when young, becoming open and irregular with age
Bloom Season: Spring
Bloom Color: Yellow (male cones), reddish-purple (female cones)
 
Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Full
Soil Texture: Sand, loam, clay, well-drained soils
Soil pH: Adaptable (slightly acidic to neutral)
Moisture Requirements: Average to moist, tolerates seasonal flooding
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Some Spray
Keystone Plant: Yes
 
Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Windbreaks, reforestation, large landscapes, wildlife habitat, timber production
Maintenance Tips: Avoid planting in areas with poor drainage; pruning is generally unnecessary but can be done to remove dead limbs
Considerations: Susceptible to fusiform rust and pine beetles; falling needles and cones may require maintenance in landscape settings
Hurricane Wind Resistant: Moderate (young trees are more flexible, but mature trees may break in strong storms)
Erosion Control: Yes
Nitrogen Fixing: No
 
Other Information
Edible: No
Pet Safe: Yes
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Moderate resistance
Historical Medicinal Uses: Pine resin was traditionally used for wound care, antiseptic treatments, and waterproofing by Indigenous peoples
Florida Native Companion Plant: Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens), Wiregrass (Aristida stricta), Slash Pine (Pinus palustris), Wax Myrtle (Morella cerifera)
Wildlife Benefit: Provides food and shelter for birds, squirrels, and other small mammals; seeds are eaten by wildlife
Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes (supports various moth and butterfly species)
Propagation: Seeds