These are the Loblolly pines at Loblolly. They are tall pine trees, with most of the foliage at the top.
Seeds of Loblolly Pine are eaten by many animals, including: Mourning Dove, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Dark-eyed Junco, White-breasted Nuthatch, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Brown Thrasher, Tufted Titmouse, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Eastern Chipmunk, White-footed Mouse, and Eastern Gray Squirrel.
Beaver and Eastern Cottontail eat the bark and needles. White-tailed Deer eat needles and twigs.
Many birds nest in these trees, especially Mourning Dove, American Robin, nuthatches, American Bald Eagle, and Osprey. Young trees provide cover for White-tailed Deer, rabbits, squirrels, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, and many other animals.
Woodpeckers and other animals live in cavities of Loblolly Pines.
Many fungi are parasites of these trees, including Golden Spreading Polypore, Dye Polypore, and others.
That’s all cool to know, since I visit the area known as “Loblolly” often. Now I can marvel more at what is all around (and even includes me).
There are still a few honeybells at the produce stand. The best are the 2 for $1.50. The box of little ones (5 for $1) don’t look so good.
Some photos of what’s growing in Mrs. Shattuck’s yard …
One last photo of photo(s) taken at the farm-to-table restaurant in Stuart where we ate last weekend (District Table and Bar). Food was good, but expensive. Makes me wonder about inexpensive food, especially cheap meat.
I think I have seen Honeybells in our Montreal supermarkets. I believe they are called tangelos and they are gently sweet. Their rinds are fairly thick.
I know tangelos, Barbara … and they are, indeed, similar to honeybells, but not quite honeybells. Honeybells are a step above.
I meant to comment that the loblolly pines look like they are dancing to me.
Maybe it’s all those creatures making their homes in them!