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Pinus elliottii

slash pine

Pinaceae

Southeastern United States coastal plain

Deer Resistant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 7–10

Overview

Pinus elliottii is a fast-growing evergreen conifer in the Pinaceae, reaching 60-100 feet (18-30 m) tall with a straight trunk and an open, rounded crown of spreading branches. The glossy dark green needles are 7-11 inches (18-28 cm) long, held in bundles of two and three, and clustered toward the branch ends. The reddish-brown bark forms large, flat, scaly plates. Pollen-bearing catkins and small reddish female cones appear in late winter, and the woody seed cones mature to 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long, glossy brown, with a small sharp prickle on each scale. It is native to the lower coastal plain of the southeastern United States, growing in flatwoods, savannas, and along pond and swamp edges on moist sandy soils. It grows quickly when young and is widely planted for timber, pulpwood, and resin used to make turpentine and rosin. The tree needs full sun and is sensitive to fire when young and to cold north of its range. Its shallow roots can make tall trees prone to windthrow on wet sites.

Native Range

Native to the lower coastal plain of the southeastern United States, from South Carolina to Florida and west to Louisiana. It grows in pine flatwoods, savannas, and on the moist, sandy margins of ponds and swamps.

Suggested Uses

Pinus elliottii is used as a fast-growing shade and timber tree, in windbreaks, and in large-scale plantations for pulpwood, lumber, and resin in the southeastern United States. Its tall, straight form suits large properties, parks, and reforestation. The wide roots and large size make it unsuited to small gardens or sites near buildings.

How to Identify

Look for a tall pine with glossy dark green needles 7-11 inches (18-28 cm) long held in bundles of both two and three, an uncommon mix in pines. The glossy brown cones are 3-6 inches (8-15 cm) long with a sharp prickle on each scale. The reddish, plated bark and coastal-plain setting help confirm it.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height60' - 100'

Width/Spread30' - 50'

Reaches mature size in approximately 30 years

Colors

Flower Colors

brown

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Winter

Pollen cones and small reddish seed cones appear in late winter, usually January to February. Wind carries the pollen, and no showy flowers are produced. The seed cones ripen in their second year and shed seed in autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

yellow pollen cones, reddish seed cones

Foliage Description

dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range4.5 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

20-30 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Pinus elliottii grows in full sun on moist, acidic, sandy soils and tolerates seasonally wet ground better than most pines, though it also grows on drier sites. It is fast-growing when young and needs space for its spreading roots and crown. Young trees are sensitive to fire, while older trees withstand the low-intensity fires of their native flatwoods. It is hardy in mild-winter regions and is damaged by hard freezes north of its range. Trees are grown from seed and are widely established in plantations. It is prone to several pests and to windthrow on shallow, wet soils.

Pruning

Little pruning is needed for this forest tree. Lower dead branches can be removed in late winter to raise the crown, and damaged limbs are taken off as they appear. Topping is not practiced, as it ruins the natural form and weakens the tree.