The Slash Pine: Tall, Resinous, and Full of Stories

Not all pines are created equal, and for basket makers like me, one holds a special place among the needles - the slash pine (Pinus elliottii). Tall and elegant, with long, flexible needles and a wild heart, it’s the quiet backbone of many of my coiled creations.

Native to the southeastern parts of the U.S. but naturalised in parts of Australia, slash pine thrives in hot sun and sandy soil. It's a fast grower, full of resin, and tough enough to ride out storms, just like the women who work with its gifts.

Its needles are long, glossy, and strong, ideal for coiling. They don’t snap like some others, and they hold a lovely curve with just a little prep. I gather mine with care, always from fallen boughs, never greedy, always grateful. The scent of them drying fills the shed with a sweet, green breath that speaks of forests and summer rain.

The tree itself was once prized for turpentine and timber. But here, in my little corner of the world, it offers something softer, threads of connection, a reason to sit still, a story in every spiral.

There’s something humbling about working with a material so tied to place and history. Something sacred. Slash pine doesn’t just make beautiful baskets, it makes beautiful moments.

If you ever walk past one, pause a moment. Listen. These trees speak in needles, and if you’re lucky, they’ll whisper something just for you.