Chapter 10 No.10

Slash Pine. Cuban Pine.

Pinus caribaea Morelet. Pinus heterophylla (Ell.) Sudworth.

Pinus, the classical Latin name; caribaea refers to the Caribbean Islands; heterophylla refers to two kinds of leaves.

Habitat.

Habitat: (See map); grows best in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Characteristics of the Tree: Height, sometimes 110', straight, tall, branching high; diameter 1'-3'; bark, dark red and brown, shallow irregular fissures; leaves, 2 or 3 in a sheath, 8"-12" long; cones, 4"-5" long.

Appearance of Wood: Color, dark orange, sapwood lighter; non-porous; annual rings, plain, sharp contrast between spring wood and summer wood; grain, straight; rays numerous, rather prominent; very resinous, but ducts few.

Leaf.

Physical Qualities: Heavy (7th in this list); 39 lbs. per cu. ft.; sp. gr. 0.7504; very strong (6th in this list); very elastic (3d in this list); hard (24th in this list); shrinkage, 4 per cent.; warps little; quite durable; troublesome to work; splits along annual rings in nailing.

Common Uses: Heavy construction, ship building, railroad ties, docks, bridges, house trim.

Remarks: Similar to and often sold as Long-leaf Pine.

Cross-section, magnified 37? diameters.

Radial Section, life size.

Tangential Section, life size.