This tree is fast-growing, but not very long-lived by pine standards (to 200 years). It reaches heights of with a trunk diameter of . The leaves are needle-like, very slender, in clusters of two or three, and long. The cones are glossy red-brown, in length, with a short (), thick prickle on each scale. It is known for its conical shape and unusually high strength, especially for a pine. Its wood has an average crush strength of 8,140 lb/in2 (56.1 MPa), which exceeds many hardwoods such as white ash (7,410 lb/in2) and black maple (6,680 lb/in2). It is not as strong as black ironwood (9,940 lb/in2), but because its average density is less than half that of ironwood, slash pine has a far greater strength-to-weight ratio.