Discover the Fast-Growing Slash Pine: A Native Evergreen for Diverse Landscapes

The Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) is a large and stately native evergreen conifer recognized for its rapid growth rate and long needles. Capable of reaching impressive heights, it develops a pyramidal shape when young, maturing to an open, rounded crown. Its long dark green needles provide year-round color, while its six-inch cones are favored by wildlife, particularly squirrels. Adaptable to a variety of acidic soils and thriving in full sun to partial shade, the Slash Pine is more tolerant of wet sites than many other pines and exhibits high drought and moderate salt tolerance, making it a valuable choice for shade, screens, and reclamation projects across the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states.

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1 Gallon

$4.00

3 Gallon

$8.00

7 Gallon

$22.00

15 Gallon

$50.00

Slash Pine

A Slash Pine displays its long needles and a pine cone.

Scientific Name: Pinus elliottii

Common Name: Slash Pine

Hardiness Zones: 7A through 11

Height: 75 to 100 feet

Spread: 35 to 50 feet

Growth Rate: Fast

Foliage: Year-round dark green needles, typically in groups of 2 per fascicle (sometimes 3), 6 to 12 inches long, providing a fine texture and fragrant evergreen presence. Fall: No significant color change.

Bark: Red-brown and furrowed when young, becoming platey with loose, thin scales that flake off to reveal a dark orange color, adding visual interest to the trunk.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade is ideal for the Slash Pine.

Soil: Adaptable to clay, sand, and loam soils that are acidic to slightly alkaline, and ranges from well-drained to occasionally wet conditions.

Wildlife Value: The cones, containing seeds, are a favored food source for squirrels and other mammals. The dense foliage also provides cover for various wildlife.

Why Choose Slash Pine?

Slash pine trees in the early morning fog at Babcock Wildlife Management Area near Punta Gorda, Florida

Rapid Growth for Quick Shade and Screening:

The Slash Pine is a fast-growing tree, quickly establishing shade and making it a suitable option for creating natural screens or windbreaks in a relatively short time. Its rapid growth is beneficial for new landscapes or reclamation projects. 

Pinus Elliottii (Slash Pine)

Adaptable to Various Soil and Urban Conditions:

This resilient native pine can thrive in a variety of acidic soil types and demonstrates good tolerance for both well-drained and occasionally wet sites, offering flexibility for different landscape environments.

Big Slash Pine

High Drought and Moderate Salt Tolerance:

Once established, the Slash Pine exhibits high drought tolerance, making it suitable for drier climates or landscapes with occasional water scarcity. Its moderate salt tolerance also makes it a viable option for coastal areas.

Whitetail Deer

Provides Food and Habitat for Wildlife:

The cones and seeds of the Slash Pine are a valuable food source for squirrels and other wildlife, while its evergreen foliage offers year-round cover and shelter, contributing to the ecological value of the landscape.

Environmental Benefits of Planting Slash Pine

This data is based on US Averages of healthy and mature trees over a 20-year period.

Check out the USDA’s MyTree Tool to input your custom location data.

A single slash pine can offset the CO₂ emissions produced by driving an average gas-powered car for 8,385 miles.

A single slash pine can absorb enough stormwater to fill 3,338 bathtubs, reducing erosion, runoff, and supporting transpiration.

A single slash pine removes as much air pollution as the weight of 81 smartphones.

Featured Projects

Salvador Wildlife Management Area Reforestation

We were proud to be one of the growers for this 20,000-acre reforestation project in Louisiana, where over 4 million Bald Cypress were planted to restore wetlands, capture carbon, and enhance coastal resilience.

The Legacy of The Senator Lives On

Sixteen years ago, we partnered with forestry researchers and a science teacher on an ambitious mission: cloning one of the world's oldest trees, The Senator, a 3,500-year-old bald cypress. When this ancient giant was tragically lost to fire in 2012, our work became more vital than ever. Today, its legacy lives on through The Phoenix—an identical clone now flourishing in Big Tree Park.

Central Florida Lands and Timber Nursery, LLC. is a wholesale nursery specializing in a wide array of Florida native trees. With an inventory of over 2 million container-grown trees, CFLTN, LCC can meet the needs of large-scale reforestation, mitigation, and landscaping projects throughout the Southeast region.

Phone

(386) 294-1211

Address

3087 North County Road 53 Mayo, Florida 32066