How to Plant a Long Needle Pine in Georgia

Select a planting area with full sun and good drainage. Light sandy soils are best, but clay soils are ok as long as water does not collect when it rains. In the colder regions of north Georgia, plant in a location with a southern exposure and good wind protection.

Remove sod or any other existing vegetation within a 3 foot radius of the planting location. Long leaf pine seedlings do not tolerate competition from grass and weed growth, especially the thick mats of crabgrass that are common in Georgia landscapes.

Dig a hole equal to the size of the root ball and plant so that the top of the roots are even with the surrounding soil level. Tamp the soil firmly around the roots to eliminate any air pockets. Cover the roots with a 1/4 inch of soil and water thoroughly.

Spread a layer of weed fabric in at least a 3 foot radius around the trunk of the seedling tree. Secure the edges with plastic or metal stakes and cover with pine straw mulch. Long leaf pine stays in a seedling stage for 5 to 10 years, during which it looks like a clump of grass about one foot tall. The weed fabric is important to prevent any weed competition during this stage of the long leaf pine life cycle.