FNPS Plant Database
Pinus elliottii
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Pinaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam, Lime Rock
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.
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Vouchered In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
Squirrels and other animals eat the seeds.
In southern Florida, old trees are known to support red-cockaded woodpeckers.
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Highly adaptable. While frequently in moist areas, broadly tolerant of dryness. Has been planted extensively for timber.
This tree occurs throughout Florida and has both southern and northern varieties with the southern form being more tolerant of fire.
Recent research on sea level rise indicates that significant salinity of water in the root zone will eliminate the species. The area occupied by slash pine in the keys is shrinking.
Many places with slash pine plantations were formerly longleaf pine forests. Many of these sites are too dry for optimal health of slash pine.
Citations:
Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Pinuellidens ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.
Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.
Huegel, Craig N. (2010). Native Plant Landscaping for Florida Wildlife. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Nelson, Gil. (2003). Florida's Best Landscape Plants: 200 Readily Available Species for Homeowners and Professionals. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Osorio, Rufino. (2001). A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Rogers, George. (2019). Why Does the Slash Pine Prune Itself? [in] Treasure Coast Natives. ( https://treasurecoastnatives.wordpress.com/2019/01/18/why-does-the-slash-pine-prune-itself/
). Accessed 2026.
Ruter, John M., and Bodie V. Pennisi. (2017). Selecting Salt-Tolerant Native Trees for the Georgia Coast (Bulletin B-1477). ( https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/B1477/selecting-salt-tolerant-native-trees-for-the-georgia-coast/ ). Accessed 2026. College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
University of Tennessee Extension Service. (2010). Desired pH Range and salt tolerance of common nursery plants. ( https://plantsciences.tennessee.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/10/Desired-pH-Range-List.pdf ). Accessed 2026. University of Tennessee Extension, Knoxville.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
