Common Name: Slash Pine

General Information

Pinus elliottii is an evergreen tree with a narrow, ovoid crown; it usually grows 20 - 30 metres tall, though can reach 40 metres. The slender, straight bole is up to 90cm in diameter and unbranched for much of its height[, ].
The tree has great economic value as a timber tree for lumber, pulp and paper, and was formerly much employed in the production of oleoresin and its products[, ]. It is cultivated for timber in many areas of the warm temperate, subtropical and tropical zones, especially in Brazil[, ].
Pinus elliottii has a wide range, is abundant, and its population is increasing. The species as a whole is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[]. The var Pinus elliottii densa Little & K.W.Dorman, however, is limited to southern Florida and its population is in decline. This subspecies is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].
Widely planted for timber outside its native range, it has sometimes escaped and become naturalized. It can establish dense stands that shade out native plants and prevent their regeneration. Invaded grasslands are transformed over time into species poor shrublands and forests[]

Known Hazards

The wood, sawdust and resins from various species of pine can cause dermatitis in sensitive people[].

Botanical References

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Range

Southeast N. America - South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Missisippi and Louisiana

Habitat

Flatwoods, mostly over limestone; at elevations up to 10 metres (var densa)[]. Lowland to upland forests, old fields, and fine white sands, mostly long-hydroperiod soils; at elevations up to 150 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Slash pine is a plant of mainly coastal areas inf the warm temperate and subtropical region of southeastern N. America, but it can also be cultivated in tropical regions at elevations from 500 - 2,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 32°c, but can tolerate 8 - 36°c[]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 650 - 2,500mm[].
Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils, growing best on mesic flatwood sites and on pond or stream margins where soil moisture is ample but not excessive, and drainage is poor[]. Established stands grow well on flooded sites, but flooding restricts seedling establishment[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 5.5, but tolerant of 4 - 6.5[]. Tolerant of maritime exposure[].
A fast growing tree when young, it can live about 200 years[].
Trees commence producing seed when around 7 - 8 years old[].
The ovoid to cylindrical seed cones are generally around 9 - 20cm long. They take two growing seasons to mature, shedding their seed whilst still on the tree[].
Some seeds are produced each year, with good crops about every third year[].
Annual oleoresin yields of 3 kilos per tree have been recorded from Zimbabwe[].
Young trees are quite susceptible to fire injury until they are 3 - 4.5 metres tall, but then the bark becomes thick enough to insulate the cambium from high temperatures[].
The tree has an extensive lateral root system and a moderate taproot[].
Two geographic varieties exist for this species. The typical Pinus elliottii elliottii is found in the northern part of the range whilst Pinus elliottii densa is only found in southern Florida[].
Pinus elliottii densa is one of several Pinus species that have a juvenile life stage. After germinating, the seedlings produce secondary foliage but the central shoot does not elongate - at this stage the plant looks more like a bunchgrass than a pine. Especially when growing in shade, the plant can remain in this juvenile stage for several years, developing a large taproot but not increasing in height. If the light levels increase (due to removal of tree cover by fire, deforestation or some other reason) then the plant commences rapid height growth[].

Edible Uses

The seeds of all Pinus species are more or less edible, and some are of good size and make very tasty and nutritious foods, often eaten in quantitiy. Others can be less desireable, either having a strongly resinous flavour, being bitter or, more commonly, rather too small and fiddly to make it very worthwhle even trying to eat them,
We have no specific information of the desireability of this species, though they are rather small (the size given includes the shell)[].
The dark brown seeds are 6 - 7mm long[].

A vanillin flavouring is obtained as a by-product of other resins that are released from the pulpwood[].

Medicinal

The plant contains turpentine, This has long been used internally for the treatment of catarrh, chronic bowel inflammation, colds, gonorrhea, leucorrhea, rheumatism, as well as various urinary complaints, rheumatism, and ulcers[].

Oil of turpentine, obtained from the oleo-resin of all pine trees, is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, rubefacient, stimulant and vermifuge[, ]. It is a valuable remedy used internally in the treatment of kidney and bladder complaints and is used both internally and as a rub and steam bath in the treatment of rheumatic affections[]. It is also very beneficial to the respiratory system and so is useful in treating diseases of the mucous membranes and respiratory complaints such as coughs, colds, influenza and TB[].
Applied externally in the form of liniment plasters, poultices, herbal steam baths and inhalers, it is a very beneficial treatment for a variety of skin complaints, wounds, sores, burns, boils etc[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The needles contain a substance called terpene, this is released when rain washes over the needles and it has a negative effect on the germination of some plants, including wheat[].

Other Uses

A tan or green dye is obtained from the needles[].

Oleoresin is tapped from the trees and distilled to obtain 12 - 13% turpentine and rosin[].
Turpentine is used in the paint industry[].
Rosin is used in the production of paper, soap and glue[].

An essential oil is distilled from the needles[]. The leaves yield around 0.3% of a balsam scented oil[]. The main components are alpha-pinene (43.0%), beta-pinene (27.1%) and alpha-terpineol (9.6%)[].

The heartwood is yellow to red-brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the 5 - 15cm wide band of yellowish white sapwood. The grain is straight, sometimes spiral; texture medium; growth rings are distinct. The wood is heavy, hard, tough, moderately durable to non-durable, being susceptible to attacks by Anobium borers, marine borers and termites. The resin content of the wood is high. The wood dries with little degrade, although some surface checking and splitting down the centre may occur. The wood is relatively difficult to work; resin may adhere to sawteeth and cutting edges, but the use of long-pitched sawteeth reduces this problem; it holds nails and screws well; glues, finishes and paints satisfactorily. The lightweight and soft wood from younger trees is mainly used for pulping, whereas the heavier and harder wood of older trees is used as timber. The straightness of the bole makes it particularly suitable for poles, piles and solid-wood products, but treatment with preservatives is often necessary. The wood is also suitable for construction, flooring, frames, joinery, interior trim, furniture, cabinet work, ship and boat building, vehicle bodies, toys, turnery, boxes, crates, veneer, plywood and particle board[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

It is best to sow the seed in individual pots in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if this is possible otherwise in late winter. A short stratification of 6 weeks at 4°c can improve the germination of stored seed[]. Plant seedlings out into their permanent positions as soon as possible and protect them for their first winter or two[]. Plants have a very sparse root system and the sooner they are planted into their permanent positions the better they will grow[]. Trees should be planted into their permanent positions when they are quite small, between 30 and 90cm[]. We actually plant them out when they are about 5 - 10cm tall. So long as they are given a very good weed-excluding mulch they establish very well[]. Larger trees will check badly and hardly put on any growth for several years. This also badly affects root development and wind resistance[].
Cuttings. This method only works when taken from very young trees less than 10 years old. Use single leaf fascicles with the base of the short shoot. Disbudding the shoots some weeks before taking the cuttings can help. Cuttings are normally slow to grow away[].