Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Pinus taeda and Quercus stellata dominate the canopy. Associated canopy and subcanopy species include Quercus falcata, Fraxinus americana, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Cornus florida, Prunus serotina, Quercus nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, Acer rubrum, and Sassafras albidum. Pinus echinata may be present but is not dominant. Shrub layer species include Callicarpa americana, Crataegus marshallii, Crataegus brachyacantha, Crataegus spathulata, Viburnum rufidulum, and Vaccinium arboreum The understory may be dominated by Scleria oligantha, Toxicodendron radicans, Gelsemium sempervirens, Vitis rotundifolia, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia when stands are dense due to infrequent burning (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data, Turner et al. unpubl. data). With increased burning and open-stand conditions species such as Schizachyrium scoparium, Helianthus hirsutus, Helenium flexuosum, Vernonia texana, Lespedeza hirta, Baptisia nuttalliana, Stylosanthes biflora, Crotalaria sagittalis, and Pycnanthemum albescens become more abundant (R. Evans pers. obs.).

Dynamics:  It has been suggested that in the absence of fire the pine component may decline, although this seems unlikely since Pinus taeda is poorly adapted to fire, especially frequent fire. The specific historical role of fire in this vegetation type is likely to remain speculative, but most known examples in eastern Texas occur in proximity to Pinus palustris vegetation which likely burned very frequently. Late growing-season fires would have the most ecological effect in these communities, when understories have dried out completely. Fires originating in longleaf stands almost certainly burned through these areas with several predictable outcomes. First, it is expected that Pinus taeda regeneration would have been hindered, possibly favoring either Pinus echinata and/or Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica. In addition, it is expected that frequent fires would have fostered species-rich understories, some evidence of which can be seen in stands today. Southern Pine Beetle activity almost certainly reduced the amount of Pinus taeda present on the historical landscape, but heavy interspersion of upland hardwoods may have reduced their local impact (Clarke et al. 2000). It has also been suggested that many occurrences of this community are not natural, and that they occur in areas which formerly supported woodlands with Pinus palustris or Pinus echinata, instead of with Pinus taeda. This may be accurate in eastern Texas where similar vegetation dominated by Pinus echinata has been defined (see CEGL007499, CEGL007800). However, it is important to note that when comparing the two types, the Pinus echinata type is more likely to occur in higher topographic positions and/or on broader upland landforms more conducive to the spread of fires, while this type tends to occur on lower topographic positions and more fire-sheltered landscapes.