Campus Tree Tour
Pinaceae – Pine Family
In 2024, this slash pine measured 57.6 feet tall and had a diameter of 17.4 inches. Based on USDA Forest Service models, it will absorb approximately 1,533 lbs. of carbon over the next 20 years. Put simply, this tree will offset up to 1,505 car miles worth of carbon dioxide.
See all species on our Campus Tree Tour.
Introduction
Slash pine is a tall, straight-growing tree species with the smallest range out of all the yellow pines. Like other pine species, the slash pine thrives in sunlight along highways and within flatwood ecosystems. Its long-lived nature and rapid growth rate have made it a valuable commercial species. As an evergreen conifer, the pine’s natural colors will persist throughout the year, providing a long-term habitat for wildlife and a source of beauty in urban landscapes.
Physical Description
Life expectancy: Up to 200 years
Height: 75 – 100 feet
Crown: 35 – 50 feet
Diameter: 24 inches
Bark: Reddish-brown, thick flaky bark.
Leaves: Long (6 to 12 in.) evergreen needles. The needles grow in a bundle, known as a fascicle, with 2 to 3 needles per bundle.
Twigs: Thin twigs.
Flowers: No flowers.
Cones: Male strobili (2 in.) produced in clusters during the summer and shed pollen in late January. Female cones (2 - 6 in.) mature during the spring and turn shades of red to purple during pollination.
Key Identification Characteristics: needles in fascicles of 2 and 3, reddish brown bark, medium sized cones and needles.
Past and Present Uses
In the 19th century, slash pine timber contributed to the expansion of the southern lumber industry. Following the Civil War, improvements in transportation and milling technology increased access to southern pine forests, including slash pine. Along with longleaf pine, slash pine played a role in the turpentine and naval stores industries, as its resin and gum were used for ship maintenance and other industrial applications. The species earned its name from the practice of slashing the tree’s bark to collect resin. While longleaf pine remained the primary source of naval stores due to its longer resin production lifespan, slash pine was favored in certain regions where longleaf pine had been depleted or did not thrive.
Slash pine’s straight, rapid growth has made it an important timber species. Its strong, heavy wood is used for sawtimber and pulpwood, and its high resin content allows it to be treated for utility poles and pilings. The species also supports ecological restoration by stabilizing soils and reducing erosion. Additionally, it is commonly planted in urban areas to enhance natural aesthetics.
Ecological Importance
Origin: Native to the United States
Native Range: Found from North and South Carolina down to Florida and west to Texas.
Figure 1. Native range of Slash Pine. Photo credit: U.S. Geological Survey
Slash pines are a common species found within the sandy soils of coastal environments and flatwood ecosystems. It grows best in moist conditions, particularly along streams and swamp edges with temporary flooding. The species also grows in upland areas, replacing absent longleaf pines. Abundant seed production and rapid growth rate and lack of regular fire contribute to the expansion of slash pine’s occurrence on the landscape.
Slash pine seeds are a valuable food source for birds and small mammals, such as squirrels, while cattle and deer may consume seedlings. Important bird species, such as the red-cockaded woodpecker and bald eagle, are both known to use the slash pine as a nesting site.
More Information
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST463
References
Barnett, J. P., & Sheffield, R. M. (n.d.). Slash Pine: Characteristics, History, Status, and Trends. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/ja/ja_barnett027.pdf
Carey, J. H. (1992). Pinus elliottii. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/tree/pinell/all.html
i-Tree. (2006). Tree tools - calculate the benefits of trees!. i-Tree. https://www.itreetools.org/
Lohrey, R. E., & Kossuth, S. V. (n.d.). Slash Pine. Pinus elliottii Engelm. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. https://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/pubs/misc/ag_654/volume_1/pinus/elliottii.htm#:~:text=Slash%20pine%20(Pinus%20elliottii)%20is,pitch%20pine%2C%20and%20Cuban%20pine