Pinus taeda
L.
Loblolly Pine
(c) Alvin Diamond, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alvin Diamond
(c) sabrinarov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) ezaldean, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
South-eastern N. America - New Jersey to Florida and Texas.
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Gansu Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hubei Sheng (west), Hunan Sheng, Jilin Sheng (south), Liaoning Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng)
How to Identify
Pinus taeda is an evergreen Tree growing to 40 m (131ft 3in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year, in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from October to February. The species is monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and is pollinated by Wind. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
How to Grow
Thrives in a light well-drained sandy or gravelly loam. Dislikes poorly drained moorland soils. Established plants tolerate drought. This species comes from an area with long hot summers and mild winters. It is fast growing and is cultivated as a timber tree on a small scale in Europe. It does not grow well in Britain, however. The trees are fully hardy in this country except when they are young. Rarely found in Britain, the few trees that have been planted are all found in southern England and are all growing well. It is proving to be a fairly vigorous tree here, averaging 30cm annual increase in height for at least the first 50 years. Trees can produce cones when only 10 years old, though 30 - 40 years is more usual. Good crops are produced most years in the wild. The cones are 5- 15cm long, they open and shed their seed whilst still attached to the tree and usually persist on the tree for a further year. Plants are strongly outbreeding, self-fertilized seed usually grows poorly. They hybridize freely with other members of this genus. Leaf secretions inhibit the germination of seeds, thereby reducing the amount of plants that can grow under the trees. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagation: It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c can improve the germination of stored seed. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm. We actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance. Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away.
Medicinal Uses
The turpentine obtained from the resin of all pine trees is antiseptic, diuretic, rubefacient and vermifuge. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB. Externally it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc and is used in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers.
Other Uses
Dye Herbicide Resin WoodA tan or green dye is obtained from the needles. The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of some plants, including wheat. This tree is a source of resin but it is not exploited commercially. The flow of resin checks too quickly and labour costs are too high. Oleo-resins are present in the tissues of all species of pines, but these are often not present in sufficient quantity to make their extraction economically worthwhile. The resins are obtained by tapping the trunk, or by destructive distillation of the wood. In general, trees from warmer areas of distribution give the higher yields. Turpentine consists of an average of 20% of the oleo-resin and is separated by distillation. Turpentine has a wide range of uses including as a solvent for waxes etc, for making varnish, medicinal etc. Rosin is the substance left after turpentine is removed. This is used by violinists on their bows and also in making sealing wax, varnish etc. Pitch can also be obtained from the resin and is used for waterproofing, as a wood preservative etc. Wood - weak, brittle, coarse grained, resinous, not durable. The wood weighs 34lb per cubic foot. Used for lumber, cooperage, crates, the interior of buildings, pulp etc.
