Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Global Crop  Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Management: Standard

Slash pine is a plant of the subtropics, but it can be cultivated in tropical regions at elevations from 500 - 2,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 32°c, but can tolerate 8 - 36°c[418 ]. When dormant, the plant can survive temperatures down to about -5°c, but young growth can be severely damaged at 0°c[418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 650 - 2,500mm[418 ]. Grows best in a sunny position[418 ]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils, growing best on mesic flatwood sites and on pond or stream margins where soil moisture is ample but not excessive, and drainage is poor[418 ]. Established stands grow well on flooded sites, but flooding restricts seedling establishment[418 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 5.5, but tolerant of 4 - 6.5[418 ]. Tolerant of maritime exposure[418 ]. Widely planted for timber outside its native range, it has sometimes escaped and become naturalized. It can establish dense stands that shade out native plants and prevent their regeneration. Invaded grasslands are transformed over time into species poor shrublands and forests[305 ] A fast growing tree when young, it can live about 200 years[418 ]. Trees commence producing seed when around 7 - 8 years old[299 ]. Some seeds are produced each year, with good crops about every third year[379 ]. Individual cones take about 3 years to mature[299 ]. Annual oleoresin yields of 3 kilos per tree have been recorded from Zimbabwe[299 ]. Young trees are quite susceptible to fire injury until they are 3 - 4.5 metres tall, but then the bark becomes thick enough to insulate the cambium from high temperatures[299 ]. The tree has an extensive lateral root system and a moderate taproot[418 ]. Two geographic varieties exist for this species. The typical Pinus elliottii elliottii is found in the northern part of the range whilst Pinus elliottii densa is only found in southern Florida[418 ]. Both Pinus elliottii and Pinus elliottii x caribea are good Carbon Farming plants and have been partially domesticated to increase yields and other traits. They can be used as an industrial crop - hydrocarbon and for agroforestry services as a windbreak.

Carbon Farming

• Agroforestry Services: Windbreak  Linear plantings of trees and shrubs designed to enhance crop production, protect people and livestock and benefit soil and water conservation.
• Global Crop  These crops are already grown or traded around the world. The annual value of each is more than $1 billion US Examples include coconuts, almonds, and bananas.
• Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon  Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
• Management: Standard  Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.