Slash and Loblolly Pines: Native to East Texas
Slash pine and loblolly pine are the large pines that are seen growing in Lewisville and Flower Mound. These trees are native to the Southern Coastal Plain (East Texas eastward to the Atlantic) but can grow in North Texas if the soil conditions are right.
Lewisville is blessed with areas of soil that are higher in iron than the surrounding Blackland Prairie. These soils tend to be a little more acidic that the Blackland clays that are common to the east of Lewisville and in parts of Flower Mound.
Pine Trees Near I-35 and the Pines Motel
Along I-35, near the intersection of Business 121 (on the east side), the Pines Motel commemorates the pines that once filled that area. The pines were planted in the early 1960s. A few remain on either side of Business 121. (See photo below.)
Caring for Pine Trees in Denton County
If you’re going to plant the southern yellow pines, remember that they can get large and are a fairly messy tree to care for in your yard, dropping pine cones, needles, and limbs in abundance at various times of the year. If you have a pool, it is not recommended to plant them nearby, as the needles will regularly end up in the water.
However, if you have space and want a piece of East Texas in your yard, slash and loblolly pines will do well in the Lewisville area and other locations in Denton County that have soils conducive to their growth.
Need Help with a Pine Tree?
Is your pine tree struggling? Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our ISA certified arborists to learn more: 972-317-9598 or visit our contact page.
Updated: 28 April 2026 (Original post: July 2010).
