This widespread southeastern species is not native to Ky., but it is widely planted, especially in southwestern regions. Self-sown trees have been found in CALL (MM for WKY) and elsewhere (CW); records with uncertain status (possibly from planted trees in some cases) are mapped as open dots. P. taeda may become more naturalized, especially with global warming. There has often been confusion about what pine species are native in particular regions of the state. This is not helped by continued plantings outside of the original range of taeda, including apparent hybrids with echinata by USFS in the Duck Run area of WHIT during 2005-10. Hybridization often occurs where ranges overlap, and it appears to be increasing, except where frequent fires are allowed fo select against taeda and introgressantrs (Stewart et al. 2012, 2015). Typical taeda differs from echinata (FNA 2, W) in its bark, which lacks resin pockets (versus evident). Twigs are orangish to yellow-brown (versus greenish-brown to red-brown and often glaucous), and mostly 4-10 mm thick (versus 3-5 mm). Buds are mostly 1-1.2 cm long (versus 0.5-0.7 cm). Leaves are mostly in bundles of 3 (versus 2 or 3), mostly 12-18 cm long (versus 7-11 cm), relatively stiff (1-2 mm thick versus ca. 1 mm), and often slightly twisted (versus not at all). Cones are mostly 6-12 cm long (versus 4-6 cm).