For those that don't know, Loblolly Pine trees are the tall 80 ft pine trees that grow in the north Houston area and all around east Texas. I'm planning on growing some Loblolly Pine trees in the south Texas region, but unfortunately I have little to no experience growing trees in general. I have done a bit of research and have found out that I can buy some Loblolly Pine tree seeds. What I'm wondering is should I go with the seeds, or should I just buy young trees from a nursery? Seeds are cheap, and can even be sent down here by mail. I have checked nurseries in this area, and since Loblollys aren't indigenous to this area I would have to place an order for one. I know if I was in Houston, I would probably find them at a nursery for really cheap... but I'm not in Houston. If I were in Houston, I would just pull off the highway somewhere around Conroe and dig some up. How easy is it to grow a Loblolly just from seeds? Would I be wasting my time by doing that... should I just special order one?

Not knowing anything about them, I'd go with the seeds. If they are cheap, I think it would be worth it not to have to go through all the trouble. If you can't get the seeds to grow, no big loss.

dont pine trees need lots of iron in the soil?

Of which south texas has none.

better check that.

I've seen a few trees that looked like loblolly pines in sandier soils around Luling and also in Gonzales Co. They probably prefer more iron/acidic soils, though. Probably the poorer the sand (sugar/blowsand), the more likely they will do well. Ironite and peat moss can probably help, too.

I would buy seedlings - A&M and the forestry service has Indian Mound Nursery in East Texas and will ship them to you for basically cost. I think they are sold out on loblolly pines, but you might get some info.

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/

I've lived among the loblolly pines of bastrop county for all of my life. they are pretty but all those dang pine needles are a pain in the azz.

If Loblolly's are what you want then you need to plant seedlings. It's really too late in the year now to be planting them though. Most loblolly's are planted in December through February. Some of them went into March this year due to lack of soil moisture.

I'm also not sure where you are and where you're wanting to plant them, but there is a reson they're not growing there naturally. If I had to guess I'd say your soil ph is not right for them top do well if you're in central or southern texas.

Another thought to ponder is that it will take 25+ years for them to reach anywhere near 80 feet.

Yes, the soil around Gonzales Co. is pretty much neutral pH (~7), but it starts getting pretty alkaline the further south and west you go.

The Lost Pines in Bastrop - I've always wondered: is the soil there somewhat acidic, or did the trees evolve to grow in higher pH soils? If the latter, they should propagate those things for the people like the OP who wants some in South Texas. I would guess that it is pretty much neutral, because I haven't seen any azaleas in people's yards in Bastrop (but that may be because they were in the Colorado river basin and had alkaline/neutral silt deposited there).

The Texas Forest Service sells Loblolly Pine Seedlings, 50 for $22. Right now they are sold out, but here is the website.
http://tfsstore.tamu.edu/onlinestore/
http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/