Description
Dade County Pine – Pinus elliottii var. densa – 45G – 10 Feet and Up.
The leaves, which come in 2’s and 3’s, can be up to 12 inches long and give the young plants a bushy appearance.
Many insects feed on the foliage and seeds or live in the bark and dead wood.
These insects provide food for many bird species, especially woodpeckers and warblers.
The cones are filled with oblong, lentil sized seeds which are food for birds and squirrels.
Every yard in South Florida should have at least one of these trees in it.
This would recreate the habitat that historically supported much of our wildlife.
The tall Slash Pines enable birds to move through the area without being exposed to predators.
Even a dead pine provides nest sites for woodpeckers, osprey, and other creatures.
