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Loblolly bay is an attractive evergreen tree the can grow to 70 ft (21 m) in height with trunk diameter up to 1.5 ft (0.5 m). It has persistent, leathery oblong leaves 4-6 in (10-15 cm) long that are dark green above and paler, sometimes woolly below. The large handsome flowers are about 3 in (7.6 cm) in diameter and appear in late spring and sporadically throughout the summer. The white blossoms are composed of 5 petals that burst from a spherical bud and surround a golden center. The flowers are fragrant and are attractive to many insect species. Loblolly bay grows with a distinct narrowly conical crown that is one the species' most attractive attribute. Location Culture
Usage
Features It's the beautiful flowers that make this one of my favorite native trees (that and the fact I live surrounded by swamp). Three narrow spires of loblolly bay tower over my pond. Throughout most of the summer it launches its large but delicate white flowers into the water. My favorite summertime activity (mosquitos, heat and humidity permitting) is watching from a lawn chair as my loblolly bays' blossom fleet sails the breezes upon the still black water .
On a more practical note, the light pink wood of this forest tree has been used for cabinetry and tannic extracts from its bark were sometimes used for tanning leather. This tree is becoming increasingly available for landscape use, look for it at your nursery. Loblolly bay is a member of the Theacea family. Among it's relatives in that family are the thirst quenching tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and the beautiful camellia (Camellia japonica) Loblolly bay is often found growing with sweetbay (Magnolia virginiana) which it resembles. The leaves of sweetbay have white underside which distinguishes it from loblolly bay with light green. Jack Scheper 08/17/97; updated 07/05/98, 07/10/03, 9/17/03
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