VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Pinus clausa | Sand Pine 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
Sand pine is used for fuel and pulpwood.  The species' small size has
prevented its use for structural lumber, but this use may become more
important in the future [1].


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Sand pine seeds are eaten by birds and small mammals.  The sand pine
canopy creates habitat for numerous woodpeckers, songbirds, and birds
of prey, as well as grey and flying squirrels [1,16].  The federally
endangered Florida scrub jay will occasionally nest in young sand pine
[12,16].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The Choctawhatchee sand pine is grown for Christmas trees because of its
short, heavily foliated branches and dark green needles [1].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Timber:  Sand pine in the Ocala National Forest in central Florida is
managed for pulp.  On productive sites, sand pine grows to a
merchantable size [2].  Blocks of 20 to 40 acres (8-16 ha) are clearcut,
scrub is removed, the ground is scarified, and either seeds are planted
or branches with cones are scattered on the ground [2,16].  In the
direct seeding method, five seeds per spot maximizes seedling
establishment.  Seed predation is not severe enough to warrant pesticide
treatment [18].  In the cone method, the closed cones will open on the
ground from solar heat.  Stands can be supplemented with nursery stock
[2].  The Choctawhatchee variety grows more slowly than the Ocala
variety but has a good survival rate and can be cut after the open cones
release seeds.  Choctawhatchee sand pine may be most suited for
large-scale reforestation [21].  Mature sand pine is subject to windfall
[1,16].

Insects:  Bark beetles (Ips spp.) and sand pine sawfly (Neodiprion
pratti) are the main insects that damage sand pine.  Bark beetle attacks
are associated with stresses such as drought or crowded stand
conditions.  The saw fly can defoliate entire stands.  Tip moths
(Rhyacionia spp.), aphids, and scales can cause some undesirable
deformity and discoloration in Christmas tree plantations [1].

Disease:  Mushroom root rot caused by Clitocybe tabescens occurs in
plantations sites where the soil is not well-drained [1].

Natural stands of sand pine are disappearing from Florida.  Many former
stands have been converted to citrus groves, subdivisions, or
recreational vehicle parks.  Twenty-one federally endangered or
threatened plant and animal species live in sand pine forests [17].

Related categories for Species: Pinus clausa | Sand Pine