Cones of slash pine are glossy brown in appearance which is a distinguishing feature when comparing to loblolly pine which also has more pronounced prickles on its cones. Twigs of slash pine are not as stout as longleaf pine but more similar to loblolly pine. Slash pine needles are grown in fascicles of 2 or 3, are typically 8 to 10 inches long, and are crowded near the end of branches. Slash Pine ( Pinus elliottii) can often be confused with both loblolly and longleaf pines as it has a similar appearance once mature and grows on similar sites. Moore Herbarium, University of South Carolina. These white buds are often referred to as “candles” or “candling.” Slash Pine. During the Spring of each year, it is easy to identify longleaf pine by their white fuzzy terminal buds extending from the tips of twigs before new needles begin to emerge. These growth adaptations are in response to frequent fire and made in an effort to get its terminal bud out of danger as well as above competing vegetation following a fire event. This growth stage can last several years before the tree shoots up several feet in one growing season. This is the only species in SC that exhibits a grass stage when young. This species is highly adapted to growing on poor sites which are often sandy in nature and prone to the occurrence of fire. The bark of longleaf pine is often very thick compared to other species with an orange-brown appearance. Cones are 6 to 10 inches long with prickles bending downwards to the base of the cone. Bare twigs are very stout and often referred to as “thumb-size” and have a rough surface left behind by previously dropped needles. Longleaf pine needles are grown in fascicles of 3 and can reach up to 18 inches in length, lending to its namesake, but are typically 8 to 12 inches long. Longleaf Pine ( Pinus palustris) once covered much of the land in SC but was heavily harvested by early settlers. Loblolly pines average 80 to 100 feet in height, with the greatest variation being related to the site quality. Cones are 2.5 to 4 inches long, have sharp prickles, and can remain on the tree for three years which is often a useful distinction. The bark of young loblolly pines is very dark and scaly, while mature bark is divided by deep furrows and dark brown in color. Loblolly pine needles are grown primarily in bundles, or fascicles, of 3 but can also be found in bundles of 2 or 4 and are typically 5 to 6 inches long. It grows well on most sites but prefers rich soils and responds well to those sites. It can be found growing on high and dry sites as well as low and wet. Loblolly Pine ( Pinus taeda) is without a doubt one of the most common species of pine found in SC. For the purposes of this article, we will look at several of the most commonly encountered species. When it comes to differentiating between pines, it requires looking at the details. While several of these species are important to the timber industry, others are hidden in the shadows of the forest. South Carolina is host to 10 native species of pines, including Loblolly, Longleaf, Slash, Pond, White, Table Mountain, Pitch, Shortleaf, Virginia, and Spruce Pines. Still, no matter where you find yourself, once you step out into the woods, you most certainly will find there are more species present than what may be seen from the road. Depending on the region of the state you are traveling through, you may be seeing several different species. Traveling throughout South Carolina, there is no question you will encounter pine trees.
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