Pinus Elliottii

Description

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Pinus Elliottii (Slash Pine) is a familiar conifer in the US Southeast, best known as a timber tree but also for landscaping. This fast-growing tree can reach heights of 60 – 100 feet, spreading to about one-half its height. It has an irregular, pyramidal to oval, open crown of horizontal branches, and gray-brown furrowed scaly bark.

In addition, leaves are alternate, simple, needle-like, borne in clusters of 2 – 3, fragrant and typically 4 – 8 inches long. Subsequently, leaves are replaced throughout the year. Moreover, male flowers are cylindrical, red to yellow clusters at twig ends; while female are oval, red to green with a stalk. Also, fruits are ovoid cones, borne on a stalk, caramel color with small out-curve spines, 3 – 6 inches long containing numerous seeds. Birds eat the seeds which are also use for propagation.

This pine is grown on plantations for lumber. Pinus Elliottii (Slash Pine) grows well in sandy, well-drained soils; its light shade permits underplanting of grass and flowering shrubs or trees. The tree has an aggressive root system, and may experience beetle infestation and rust fungus. In landscaping, it can be grown for land reclamation, as a high screen or windbreak, in highway medians and as an accent or specimen tree in gardens and parks. Needle and cone fall create litter.