longleaf pine

noun

long·​leaf pine ˈlȯŋ-ˌlēf- 

: a tall timber pine (Pinus palustris) of the southeastern U.S. with long needles in bundles of three and long cones

also : its tough coarse-grained reddish-orange wood consisting mostly of heartwood and used especially for flooring and joinery

Examples of longleaf pine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their main threat is loss of habitat, the living, old-growth longleaf pines. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025

Magnificent Trees Our region is often defined by its abundance of trees, including sprawling live oaks, confetti-throwing crepe myrtles, spring-blooming dogwoods, sky-high longleaf pines, and waxy-leafed magnolias. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2025

While gopher tortoises can be encountered in abundance during a visit to the park, guests can also marvel at its longleaf pine forests, with bird species like the downy woodpecker and red-breasted nuthatch found flitting from tree to tree. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025

Western Lake at Grayton Beach State park is one such example, and paddling a kayak into the 100 acres of glassy waters surrounded by towering longleaf pines gives you an otherworldly, geological thrill. —Terry Ward, Outside Online, 19 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

longleaf pine

noun

long·​leaf pine ˌlȯŋ-ˌlēf- 

: a tall pine of the southeastern U.S. that has long needles in clusters of three and long cones and is a major timber tree

also : its tough coarse-grained reddish orange wood