Slash Pine
Quick Facts & Botanical Stats
Species Overview
Slash Pine is a fast-growing southern pine adapted to wet flatwoods and seasonal flooding.
Physical Appearance & Anatomy
Tall, straight trunk topped by a open crown of glossy long needles in bundles of two or three.
Habitat & Growth Behavior
Thrives in humid subtropical climates with wet sandy soils.
Ecological Role & Symbioses
Nesting tree for bald eagles and red-cockaded woodpeckers.
Reproduction, Lifecycle & Propagation
Produces shiny brown cones with sharp prickles.
Conservation Status & Environmental Threats
Extensively planted and secure across the US Gulf Coast.
Interesting Fun Facts
- The term 'slash' refers to the swampy, overgrown ground where it naturally grows.
- Historically tapped for oleoresin to produce turpentine and rosin.
Related Plants
Coast Redwood
EndangeredWhat is a Coast Redwood? Sequoia sempervirens, the coast redwood, is a massive coniferous evergreen tree belonging to the Cupressaceae family. It is the tallest living tree species on Earth, reaching heights of over 115 meters (377 feet). Restricted to a narrow coastal strip in California and Oregon, redwoods are ancient giants that can live for over 2,000 years. They form unique ecosystems characterized by thick bark, massive carbon storage, and a reliance on coastal fog.
Great Basin Bristlecone Pine
Least ConcernWhat is a bristlecone pine? The Great Basin bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) is an extremely long-lived coniferous tree native to the high-altitude mountain ranges of the American Southwest. It is globally famous as the oldest known non-clonal living organism on Earth, with individual trees documented to be over 4,800 years old. Growing in harsh, wind-swept, alpine conditions where other plants cannot survive, these trees grow incredibly slowly, developing dense, resinous wood that resists decay.