Slash Pine, Honduras Pine

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Southeastern USA, Caribbean

Growth Habits: Evergreen tree, dense rounded crown, fast growing up to 100 feet tall (30 m); dark green, flexible leaves, 6 to 8 inches long (15-20 cm), 2 or 3 per fascicle, persisting 2 years

Watering Needs: Little to regular water

Propagation: Seeds

Propagation: Seed or occasionally cutting, grafting/budding, layering

• by semi-hardwood stem tip cuttings, in late autumn. Apply IBA TALC 8000 PPM. Use intermittent mist. Root in 16-22 weeks. Juvenile cuttings from younger trees root best..
• by air layers, in early summer. remove a ring of bark.
• by side graft grafts, in late winter.
• by seeds, in spring. Germinates at 72 degrees F. The seeds can be harvested in autumn. The seeds need 40F for 2mo.. The usual germination temperature is 72 degrees F.

Pinus elliottii, 19502 U.S.D.A. Forest Service Collection, courtesy of the Hunt Institute

Pinus elliottii var. densa (Pinus densa) is the variety found in the south of Florida.

Fruiting Habits:
The Slash Pine has symmetric, shiny, light chocolate brown, cones, 3.5 to 6.5 inch long (9-18 cm), maturing in 2 years, on stalks up to 1.2 inches long (3 cm)