{"slug":"pinus-palustris","scientific_name":"Pinus palustris","common_names":["Longleaf pine","Georgia pine","Southern yellow pine","Heart pine"],"family":"Pinaceae","type":"conifer","mature_height_m":25,"mature_spread_m":10,"growth_rate":"slow","lifespan_years":null,"hardiness_zones":[7,9],"sun":"full","water":"low","soil":"Deep, coarse, well-drained sandy acidic soils; tolerates seasonal poor drainage","native_range":"Coastal plain from southeastern Virginia to central Florida and west to east Texas","description":"The long-lived pine of the fire-maintained savannas that once covered the Southeast, with the longest needles (to 18 inches) and largest cones of any eastern pine. Seedlings sit in a grass-like tuft for several years before shooting up, then grow into straight 60-100 foot trees that resist wind and fusiform rust better than other pines. Needs acidic sand and full sun.","care":"Plant containerized seedlings in full sun on sandy, well-drained acidic soil and be patient through the grass stage. Water the first summer only. No pruning needed. Few pest problems; keep needle litter cleared near buildings because it burns readily. Avoid alkaline clay or limestone sites.","benefits":["wildlife","birds","long_lived","storm_resistant","carbon","drought_tolerant"],"uses":["reforestation","timber","parks"],"cautions":["heavy_litter"],"image_url":"https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Pinus_palustris_UGA1.jpg","image_credit":"Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, CC BY 3.0 us, via Wikimedia Commons","sources":["https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2","https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=PIPA2","https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/pinus-palustris/"],"data_note":null,"updated_at":"2026-11-08T01:00:46.205Z","page_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/pinus-palustris","markdown_url":"https://treerm.org/trees/pinus-palustris.md","regions":[{"country":"US","region":null,"locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Also native in: VA (USDA PLANTS distribution)","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"AL","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"AR","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"FL","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"GA","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"LA","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"MS","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"NC","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"SC","locality":null,"status":"native","note":null,"source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"},{"country":"US","region":"TX","locality":null,"status":"native","note":"Native to the far southeast corner of Texas; not suited to Central Texas soils","source_url":"https://plants.usda.gov/plant-profile/PIPA2"}],"license":"CC-BY-4.0"}