Sand Pine

(Pinus clausa)

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Family - Pinaceae

Natural Habitat - Scrub, Scrubby flatwoods

Planting Zones - 7, 8, 9, 10

Description -  This Florida native may grow to 80 plus feet although it is more common at 25 to 40 feet. The open crown of a mature tree may be rounded or flattened, the bark is smooth and gray when young, becoming thick, scaly and reddish-brown with age.

Cones are nearly sessile, closed, 1 - 3 inches in length and unlike other pines may persist on the tree for years. Needles are much shorter than the other pines, being 2-4 inches long.

Two geographic varieties of Sand pine are recognized, Pinus clausa var. clausa (Ocala variety) normally occurs from northeastern to southern Florida and produces serotinous cones which can remain closed for years, opening only after a fire.

P. clausa var. immuginata (Choctawhatchee variety) ranges from northwestern Florida into southeastern Alabama has non-serotinous cones.

Landscape Use -  Shade tree, specimen tree, Christmas tree

Culture - Propagation is by seed, full sun, seedling growth is fast at first, then slowing with age. Sand pine grows best in dry, well drained slightly acidic, sandy soils with little or no organic content, or will grow in any well drained soil. Tolerates slightly alkaline soil.

Medium salt tolerance, should be protected from direct salt spray, high drought tolerance. Deadwood persists on tree, lower branches droop & will have to be pruned for foot traffic clearance.