There are five on-site-native loblolly pines (
Pinus taeda) in the arboretum collection. These trees have been growing unaided on the clay slopes of the campus since we-don't-know-when, and they have survived the construction of our campus buildings. They grow here naturally, spontaneously, and they grow to be very tall. The photos below are of an individual loblolly near Hamilton Hall.
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| This is a very shady spot in the arboretum. The large loblolly trunk is pictured in the middle, with an on-site-native water oak (Quercus nigra) pictured to the right, closer to the brick retaining wall. |
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| Looking down the slope, the tall, cylindrical trunk of the loblolly is pictured in the center. The green leaves are a long way up, out of view, but there is a good amount of pine straw on the ground. |
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| The green leaves are only seen from a distance, way up high. Pinus taeda is pictured in the middle, with Quercus nigra pictured on the right. |
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| These leaves (needles) are 7 inches long. The singular needles appear in bundles of three. |
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| For comparison, spruce pine (Pinus glabra) leaves are pictured above the loblolly leaves. The spruce pine needles are much shorter, measuring approximately 2.5 inches long. |
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| Prickly cones are dropping out of the loblolly. |
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| This cone measures to about 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. |
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| The spruce pine cone (pictured on the left) is much smaller than the loblolly cone. |
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| Walking through the arboretum, you will most likely only see the trunks of the loblolly pines. Mature loblolly bark is reddish-brown and heavily fissured. |
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| The bark is formed into large thick plates. |
You can see more pictures of the arboretum's loblolly pines
here.
Check out the following links for more information about this species:
United States Department of Agriculture
USDA Forest Service
Oklahoma Forestry Services
Louisiana Plant Identification and Interactive Virtual Tours
