I don't see why not. They grew in S. Sarasota county, where I used to live and in Plant City when I lived there.

Just remember how big they get...and how fast they grow!

And how they break off in hurricanes.

Again, just remember how big they get. Would such a tree look good sticking up by itself? or survive a hurricane standing alone?

tj

Maybe a dwarf mugo pine would be a better choice (height wise) (lol).

How large a yard does your cousin have? A loblolly pine would need to be planted at least 90 feet from the house, since they can grow to 80 feet tall and you don't want it to fall on the house during a hurricane. Plus, there is the mess it makes dropping needles and cones, and pines attract squirrels, who love eating the seeds. Despite their tap root, their lack of spreading roots makes them more likely to topple from saturated soil. Their tops are likely to break off in storms, and then they have to be removed, because they'll die.

No offense, it sounds like a lovely gift, but these are things we have to think about here in FL.

I’m mainly concerned with the climate and if it’s just too far south for the tree.

On the east coast of FL they are common down through Martin County and even into northern Palm Beach County, so no worries there.

bring both seedlings. I know I would like it if one of my family members brought me trees. Yes loblolly will survive in that climate, but what others said about hurricanes is true.

Yes, bring them if she has that much land. She can put it right at the back and it can be a nice habitat for squirrels and birds. It's the perfect gift. :)

I have a big one in my poorly drained back yard. It is mostly covered with an equally large bougainvillea. Sometimes I wish it were a longleaf pine, though. I am in Tampa.

A future consideration for a lone Loblolly is that it can be a lightning magnet. I'd discourage planting one near a structure.