The Lifecycle of a Loblolly Pine (And When to Remove It)
The Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) is the king of the East Texas forest. They grow fast, tall, and straight. They are the reason Tyler is so green year-round.
But unlike the majestic Live Oak, which can live for 300+ years, the Loblolly Pine lives life in the fast lane.
The Timeline of a Tyler Pine
1. The Rocket Phase (0-20 Years)
Pines are sprinters. In good soil, a Loblolly can grow 2-3 feet per year.
- Care: Keep them watered. Watch out for Tip Moths.
- Risk: Low. They are flexible and bend in the wind.
2. The Prime (20-60 Years)
This is when the tree is majestic. It reaches 60-90 feet tall. The bark turns into thick, puzzle-piece plates.
- Care: Monitor for beetles. Mulch the base.
- Risk: Moderate. They are strong, but a direct lightning strike or ice storm can damage them.
3. The Decline (80-100 Years)
This is the maximum lifespan for most urban pines in Tyler.
- Signs of Old Age:
- Flat Top: The tree stops growing up and the top becomes flat or "stag-headed" (dead branches at the peak).
- Thinning Canopy: You can see more sky through the needles.
- Cone Overload: Sometimes a dying pine produces a "stress crop" of hundreds of small cones in a last-ditch effort to reproduce.
When Should You Remove It?
You don't have to cut a pine just because it's old. But you must assess the Target.
- In the Woods: Let it die and fall. It becomes a home for woodpeckers and owls.
- Near Your House: This is different.
A 90-foot dead pine is a 5-ton hammer waiting to fall. Once a pine dies, the wood rots incredibly fast (unlike oak). It can become unclimbable and dangerous to remove within 6 months.
The "Proactive" Removal
We often recommend removing pines before they are fully dead, especially if they are leaning over a bedroom.
- Cheaper: Removing a live, stable tree is safer and faster (cheaper) than removing a rotting, unstable one.
- Cleaner: A live tree doesn't shatter when it hits the ground.
Summary
Love your pines, but respect their limits. If your Loblolly is pushing 80 years old and towering over your roof, it might be time to consider a succession plan—planting a new tree now so it's ready when the giant falls.