Alabama's state tree.

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This species once covered over 90 million acres of the southern coastal plain from southern Virginia to central Florida to Mississippi & Louisiana. Only a small fraction is left. Much of that is due to the prevention of natural fires that aid this species. It was the major tree in sandhill pinelands and wiregrass savannas. I have seen it growing well in landscapes. It grows as a tall upright or spreading tree. Terminal buds are silvery white. The seedling trees look like tall grass plants for some years before forming a trunk. The needles are long of 8 to 18 inches long in clusters of 3. It bears large, conical cones about 6 to 12 inches long with big prickles. It prefers deep sandy or sand-clay soils with little organic matter and a pH of 5 to 7; not liking heavy clay soils. The similar Loblolly Pine has replaced it in many situations. It is a good tree and should be encouraged more not only in nature, but also in landscapes.

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