Pine trees are a type of tree that can thrive in colder weather, but what if you live in a part of the country that stays warm for the majority of the year. In Florida, there are a lot of different pine trees that will grow in humidity and warm temperatures.
Out of the 126 species of pine trees that grow in the nation, seven pine trees are native to the state. They range in size and the care that they need, so if you are looking for a pine tree to enhance your garden space in Florida, these are some of the varieties that will be easy to grow.
Slash Pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm)
The slash pine is a variety that can be found growing in Western Florida to the tip of the Florida Keys. It has a very large needle flat bark that makes it easy to identify, and the needles can grow to be five to 11 inches in length. When fully mature, the tree can reach heights of 75 to 100 feet.
These plants need at least four hours of direct sunlight each day, and they do well in wet conditions, which makes them great to grow in Florida.
Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris Mill)
This is another pine variation that can grow to be more than 80 feet in height. They are known for their small trunks that are relatively straight, and their bark is orange and scaly. The needles of this tree are long and glossy. This is a relatively slow-growing plant that can take over 300 years to reach its mature height. They prefer sandy, acidic soil that can be found mostly at sea level. They are not very tolerant to shade, so direct sunlight is preferred.
Spruce Pine (Pinus glabra Walter)
The spruce pine is another pine that can be found within the state of Florida. It can grow to be up to 90 feet tall, and it can be identified based on its small pine cones and short pine needles. It is tolerant of the shade, so it is often found in woodland areas and near the banks of streams and other bodies of water. It can mostly be found growing in the northern part of the state, and it can even do well in poor soil.
Sand Pine (Pinus clausa)
This is a pine tree that is a bit shorter than the others that we have looked at; in fact, it only grows to a height of about 40 feet tall. There are two types of sand pines that you can find in Florida, which include the Ocala sand pine and the Choctawhatchee sand pine. The main difference between the two is the cones: The Ocala stays more closed while the Choctawhatchee are open. The sand pine grows well in sandy soil, and it can do well in any type of sunlight.
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata Mill)
This is a variety of pine that can be found growing in Northern Florida. It can grow to be over 100 feet tall when it’s mature and can easily be recognized by the flat, reddish-brown bark. The needles are a yellowish-green color, and they typically are about two to five inches in length. It will tolerate partial shade and dry soil conditions. It is a slow-growing pine, but it is also a hardy option for most gardens.
Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda L.)
This is one of the tallest pine trees that you can find in Florida. It can grow to be up to 110 feet in height, and the needles can be up to 10 inches in length. Because of the long needles, this plant often looks like it is drooping. It prefers to grow in sandy soil and partial shade, but it will also do well in moist, rich soil. This is a fast-growing pine, so it will do well in most Florida gardens.
Pond Pine (Pinus serotina Michx.)
This is a pine that can be found throughout northern and central Florida. The pine needles grow in bunches that are about four inches in length, and the tree will have several branches that sprout from the trunk. This pine will grow to be about 70 feet tall and will grow best in full sun and moist, sandy soil.
