evergreen tree
Longleaf Pine: pruning, storm risk and removal
Pinus palustris. Also called Southern yellow pine, Georgia pine, Longleaf yellow pine.
Plain-English notes for homeowners, plus field notes for tree crews. General guidance only: for one specific tree, have a local insured pro look at it.
Longleaf Pine at a glance
| Height | 80-100 ft |
|---|---|
| Spread | 30-40 ft |
| Growth rate | Slow |
| USDA zones | 7-10 |
| Lifespan | 150-300 years, sometimes longer |
| Type | Evergreen |
| Native range | The coastal plain and nearby uplands of the Southeast, from southeast Virginia to Florida and west to east Texas. |
| Roots | Young trees grow a deep taproot, and older trees add wide side roots. Deep roots make it hard to move once it is past the seedling stage. |
| Wood | Heavy, hard, and resinous. It has long been used for lumber, poles, and heart pine flooring. It is dense, so it is typically harder on chains than lighter pines. |
| Storm risk | lowLongleaf is typically one of the most wind-firm southern pines because of its deep roots and strong wood. Hurricane-force winds can still snap or uproot trees, especially in wet soil. |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Soil, water, space and care change how a tree grows. Storm risk is our general rating for the species, not an inspection.
For homeowners
Caring for a longleaf pine
Best time to prune
Remove dead or broken limbs in the cooler, dormant months. Prune only live branches that are still green, and keep cuts small.
Avoid pruning
Avoid pruning or leaving fresh pine slash in spring and summer when bark beetles are active. Do not cut back into bare wood with no needles, because pines usually do not sprout from old wood.
More on timing: when to prune trees.
- Longleaf has a long grass stage as a seedling, when it looks like a clump of grass for several years. Do not mow or pull these young trees by mistake.
- Keep soil, pavement, and heavy equipment off the root zone under the canopy. Compaction is a common cause of slow decline.
- Needles are very long, and they drop in large amounts. Rake them for mulch, but keep them away from the house walls, since dry needles burn easily.
- If needles turn red-brown on a tree that was green a few weeks ago, call a local certified arborist right away. Bark beetles may be at work.
Safety first
Do not climb a tree or use a chainsaw on storm-loaded or broken wood. If a tree or limb is touching power lines, stay away and call the utility. If someone is in danger, call 911. For anything big, hire a local insured pro: read how to hire a tree service and is my tree dangerous?
Lirevon does not do tree work. Find local pros on Google Maps and read their reviews, then get two or three written quotes.
For tree crews
Field notes: working on longleaf pine
- 1Expect heavy, resin-rich wood. Keep chains sharp and wipe resin off bars and saws often.
- 2Ask the owner what they want kept before clearing. Many longleaf stands are managed on purpose, and owners may value the older trees.
- 3Look for a cavity or conk at the base before climbing. Old trees can have heart rot that is hard to see from the ground.
- 4Plan a long drop zone. Straight trunks with high crowns need room, and rigging may be needed near structures.
- 5Do not leave fresh pine slash piled near healthy pines in beetle season. Chip or haul it away.
Removal notes
Mature trees are tall and heavy, and the lower trunk is often limbless, which gives a clean fall path but little to climb on. The deep taproot makes stump grinding take longer. Check for sap-soaked heartwood, which dulls chains faster.
Wood
Heavy, hard, and resinous. It has long been used for lumber, poles, and heart pine flooring. It is dense, so it is typically harder on chains than lighter pines.
Pricing this job? Try the tree job estimator. Follow your own safety plan and crew training on every job.
Common problems for longleaf pine
Pests and diseases to watch for. Each link explains signs and what to do.
Trees often mistaken for it
Check the leaves, bark and shape before you decide how to prune or treat.
Where longleaf pine grows
Native range: The coastal plain and nearby uplands of the Southeast, from southeast Virginia to Florida and west to east Texas.
Common in these US regions. Tap one to see other trees there.
Free tools for this tree
They run in your browser and nothing is sent anywhere. Results are estimates.
Longleaf Pine: common questions
How can I tell a longleaf pine from other southern pines?
Longleaf has the longest needles of the southern pines, typically 8 to 18 inches, in bundles of three. The buds are large and silvery white, and the cones are big. Loblolly and slash pine have shorter needles.
Why is my longleaf pine seedling not growing taller?
It is probably in the grass stage. For about 3 to 7 years the seedling builds a deep root system and stays low, then it shoots up. This is normal for the species.
How long does a longleaf pine live?
Typically 150 to 300 years, and some live longer. That is much longer than most other southern pines.
Are longleaf pines safe near a house?
They are usually safer than many pines because of their deep roots and strong wood. Any very tall tree can still drop limbs or fall in a hurricane, so have a certified arborist check big trees near buildings.
Can longleaf pine be pruned?
Yes, lightly. Take off dead or broken limbs and keep the live crown. Never cut back to bare wood, because pines typically do not regrow from it.
When should I call a pro to remove a longleaf pine?
Call when the tree is dead, leaning, hit by lightning, has a large cavity or fungus at the base, or is close to a house or lines. Get two or three written quotes from insured local companies.
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