{"product_id":"slash-pine-tree","title":"Slash Pine Tree","description":"\u003ch1\u003ePinus elliottii\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Slash Pine is a fast-growing, stately evergreen conifer native to the southeastern United States, bringing year-round structure and a classic southern silhouette to the landscape. Recognized for its tall, straight trunk and long, glossy needles grouped in bundles of two or three, this native beauty transitions effortlessly through the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn spring, it produces subtle yellow to red-purple flowers, followed by elongated chocolate-brown to reddish-brown cones that mature in late summer and provide an important food source for local wildlife. As the tree ages, its lower branches naturally self-prune to form an open, rounded crown, while its rugged red-brown bark develops deep furrows and flaky plates that reveal warm cinnamon tones beneath.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Ecological Footprint\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Sanctuary:\u003c\/b\u003e A vital ecological anchor, offering high-quality nesting habitat and canopy cover for numerous songbirds and small mammals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Cone Buffet:\u003c\/b\u003e Produces nutrient-rich seeds housed within sturdy pinecones that serve as a favorite food source for squirrels and other forest wildlife.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eErosion Champion:\u003c\/b\u003e Exceptional at soil stabilization; its extensive lateral root system tightly binds soil together to prevent erosion on slopes and flatlands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWetland Wonder:\u003c\/b\u003e Exceptionally tolerant of wet, low-lying soils and occasional standing water compared to other pines, making it ideal for managing moist areas on your property.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Honest Harvest (What to Expect)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Perks:\u003c\/b\u003e Exceptionally fast-growing, highly adaptable to wet and heavy soils, boasts year-round evergreen color, creates a light dappled shade, and is very easy to establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Caveats:\u003c\/b\u003e Naturally self-prunes lower branches as it grows taller, which can result in falling needles or dropped lower wood, meaning it should be set back appropriately from high-traffic walkways or structures. It is not well-suited to alkaline soils with a high pH.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/b\u003e Pinus elliottii\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Names:\u003c\/b\u003e Slash Pine, Yellow Pine, Swamp Pine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Height:\u003c\/b\u003e 70-100 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMature Width:\u003c\/b\u003e 30-50 feet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/b\u003e Fast (up to 3-4 feet per year when young)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/b\u003e Up to 150 years\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUSDA Zones:\u003c\/b\u003e 8-10\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eChill Hours:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSun Preference:\u003c\/b\u003e Full sun to partial shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Moist, sandy, or loamy soils; highly tolerant of wet clay and poor drainage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/b\u003e Acidic to neutral (5.0-6.5)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/b\u003e Moderate to high; prefers moist, well-draining conditions and handles wet feet better than most pines\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlower Color:\u003c\/b\u003e Yellow to red-purple; early spring\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFruit Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Elongated brown cones (2-6 inches); late summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePollinators:\u003c\/b\u003e *\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGrowth Habit:\u003c\/b\u003e Tall, upright conifer with an open, rounded or pyramidal crown\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/b\u003e 20-30 feet apart for groves, screens, or naturalized boundaries\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLandscape Uses:\u003c\/b\u003e Specimen trees, wildlife gardens, windbreaks, naturalized screens, and large estate borders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMaintenance Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Low (requires minimal care once established; occasional clearance of dropped lower branches)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHydration:\u003c\/b\u003e Saturate the planting area thoroughly before setting the tree into the ground, and maintain consistent moisture during its initial establishment phase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSiting:\u003c\/b\u003e Choose an open location that receives full sun with acidic, well-drained to occasionally damp soil. Give it plenty of room away from overhead utility lines and high-traffic paths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMulching:\u003c\/b\u003e Apply a thick 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base to retain ground moisture, keeping the mulch pulled a few inches clear of the main trunk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/b\u003e Ensure the tree receives regular, deep waterings throughout its first growing season to encourage a deep, resilient root system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning:\u003c\/b\u003e Generally minimal pruning is required. Naturally occurring lower deadwood can be pruned back cleanly to keep the trunk clear and tidy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eFertilization:\u003c\/b\u003e Typically unnecessary in natural settings. If your soil is exceptionally poor, a light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for acid-loving conifers in early spring can support initial growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"ATM Gardens","offers":[{"title":"2-3ft","offer_id":51763534823719,"sku":"ST70D2","price":54.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3-4ft","offer_id":51763534856487,"sku":"ST70D3","price":64.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0988\/9094\/0711\/files\/SLASHPINE.jpg?v=1785435150","url":"https:\/\/atmgardens.com\/products\/slash-pine-tree","provider":"ATM Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}