Pinus clausa

Locally abundant (canopy dominant) in restricted habitat in the panhandle and central Florida (and coastal Alabama); habitat in both areas fragmented and continuing to be depleted by development. While its range is limited, Pinus clausa is apparently secure in Florida.

Gulf Coast from Alabama east along Florida Panhandle (west of the Big Bend), along high-energy coasts with dune systems; also Lake Wales Ridge of central Peninsular Florida.

Formerly essentially continuous in Lake Wales Ridge area and along Gulf shore of Florida Panhandle; now substantially fragmented, although Wunderlin (1982) described it as common and nearly throughout central Florida. Kurz and Godfrey (1962) described Pinus clausa in northern Florida as common near the Atlantic and Gulf coasts on hills and ridges of white sand and in the interior wherever there are white sand ridges and hills. The number of occurrences in Florida is over 100 although an exact number is unknown (personal communication Ann Johnson, Florida Natural Areas Inventory, 6/19/96).

Habitat threatened, but species not directly sought. Sand pine is also cultivated commercially for pulpwood, but few if any natural stands of sand pine are commercially logged. Some areas of Lake Wales Ridge are coming under management involving more frequent fire, but impacts on sand pine population dynamics are not yet well known.