Options for Management of Sandhill Forest Land

Abstract Thirty-eight species of pines, 4 other conifers, and 5 hardwoods have been included in trial plantings established on sandhill land in northwest Florida during the past 50 years. Of these, only longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) and Choctawhatchee sand pine (Pinus clausa var. immuginata Ward) can be recommended for sandhill reforestation without reservation. Choctawhatchee sand pine will produce twice the volume of wood in 25 years, as will longleaf pine when growing on a Florida sandhill site of similar quality and in stands of comparable density. A third option is to retain the land in scrub oaks and wiregrass.