They are native in TN and I occasionally see them around older homes, probably left when the land was originally cleared rather than planted. I can't recall seeing any purposely planted or even raised by local nurseries. The TN Dept of Forestry sells seedlings for reforestation, but I've not seen them used that way, the conifer of choice here is loblolly pine.

Young trees don't transplant as easily as loblolly or white pine, nor do seedlings establish as readily in the field. Young trees grow much slower than loblolly and white pine, and are subject to more insect pests, especially Nantucket tip moth. As the tree ages growth rate increases, the fastest occurs in middle age. Mature trees are subject to little leaf disease, which is terminal and incurable.

Old mature trees are attractive, possibly moreso than loblolly and white pine. The bark on large trunks becomes rugged and plate-like, and the crown opens. Needles are short, dull green, especially so in winter when they may go off color. Old trees present as rugged and solid.

My personal observations of shortleaf pine as it grows in my area of TN. YMMV.

Great information! I see a lot of mature shortleaf pines in the Ozark region of MO, and I've come to really like the look of them at maturity. The MO Dept of Forestry also sells the seedlings which actually started my thought... Seems to be the only route since they aren't sold through normal nurseries.

If you are starting with seedlings, might plant 2 or 3, and then prune back at some point to one tree. I also like the looks of the mature ones better than Loblolly. People in north Louisiana utilize them as landscape trees, usually by leaving them when you first clear an area or a seedling comes up near where you wanted a tree. Good comments by kentrees12.