REMNANT STAND OF OLD-GROWTH SLASH PINE IN FLORIDA PANHANDLE

A small remnant stand of old-growth Pinus elliottii in Wakulla County, Florida [USA], is described. The soil is poorly drained, sandy and strongly acid. When measured in 1967-68, the open overstory was composed of trees mostly 38-64 cm dbh [diameter breast height], 30-37 m tall and roughly 85 yr old. The largest was 99 cm dbh and 38 m tall. Pine reproduction was lacking, and most overstory trees showed signs of heart rot. The understory, dense but discontinuous, was composed of broadleaved, mostly evergreen shrubs and small trees, ranging upwards to 12 m tall, with Magnolia virginiana, Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora, Persea borbonia and Cyrilla racemiflora predominating. Unless diverted by fire, development of a bay swamp is predicted, the new community deriving its dominants from the understory.