Physiognomy and Structure: Some stands are short-statured, deciduous woodlands, while others are more forest-like. Depending, in part, upon management history, the herbaceous layer density may vary widely and is sometimes quite sparse. The canopy coverage may be variable, reflecting the range of situations involved. Some associations may exhibit an open canopy of Pinus echinata (sometimes with Pinus taeda) ranging generally from 15-40% cover, while other examples are slightly more dense. A stunted, scrubby Quercus spp. and tall-shrub layer (2.5-5 m in height) is typically present. This stratum is patchy and varies from approximately 30-60% in cover. Due to xeric conditions, graminoids and forbs are very sparse in this community, and patches of exposed sand are common. Lichens (Cladonia spp.) and Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii may form large patches.

Floristics: Vegetation indicators are species tolerant of droughty sites, especially Quercus incana and Quercus arkansana (a rare Coastal Plain endemic species), but also Quercus marilandica and Quercus stellata. Pinus echinata is usually present in examples of this alliance, and Pinus palustris is typically absent (or perhaps at low frequency within its range). In addition to the aforementioned species, Carya texana may be present. In most cases, a patchy shrub stratum (varying from approximately 30-60% in total cover) consisting of stunted, scrubby Quercus spp. and tall shrubs ranging from 2.5-5 m in height is usually present. Among the subcanopy taxa, Quercus incana is arguably the most constant species. Typical shrubs include Asimina parviflora, Chionanthus virginicus, Frangula caroliniana, Ilex vomitoria, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. lanuginosum, Stillingia sylvatica, Vaccinium arboreum, and seedlings of canopy species. Patches of exposed sand are common in this alliance. Due to xeric conditions and depending, in part, upon management history, the herbaceous layer density may vary widely and is sometimes quite sparse. However, in nearly all cases, it will contain a suite of habitat fidels, several of which are either endemic or nearly so to the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The widely scattered herbaceous layer may contain Aristida desmantha, Cnidoscolus texanus, Eriogonum longifolium, Eriogonum multiflorum, Opuntia humifusa, Penstemon murrayanus, Polanisia erosa, Polygonella americana, Polygonella polygama, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Zornia bracteata. More open examples that approach woodland structure may contain scattered patches of fruticose lichens (Cladonia spp.) and possibly Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii. The most extreme examples are open, xeric woodlands with a sparse canopy of the nominal species over open areas dominated by grass, bare sand, or Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii. Shrubs occur in dense patches and may include Carya texana, Chionanthus virginicus, Frangula caroliniana, Rhus aromatica, Sassafras albidum, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. lanuginosum, Vaccinium arboreum, and Vaccinium stamineum. Herbaceous species may include Asclepias spp., Clematis sp., Delphinium sp., Oenothera heterophylla, Opuntia sp., Penstemon murrayanus, and Schizachyrium scoparium. This vegetation supports a large concentration of vascular plant endemics, near endemics, and a number of plant species with high fidelity to sandhills in the region.

Dynamics:  This alliance primarily includes natural woodlands and forests of the drier parts of the region, but some vegetation may be included here which has resulted from the effects of fire suppression. The historical fire frequency of the natural types is unknown but is widely believed to have been less than that of Pinus palustris-dominated woodlands (which sometimes occur adjacent to this type). Too frequent fires would not allow for the persistence of Pinus echinata and hardwood species, although young Pinus echinata has the ability to resprout when top-killed by fire. In some areas of eastern Texas, these xeric sandhills occupy very limited portions of the landscape, possibly suggesting that natural fire frequencies may not have been as constant or as frequent as would be necessary to maintain herbaceous-dominated woodlands. In addition, the extremely droughty soils contribute to only sparse fine fuel build-up making frequent, natural fires difficult to either ignite or spread. In the continued absence of fire, this mixed forest alliance may become increasingly invaded by Pinus taeda or may be seral to a xeric Quercus incana - Quercus margarettae - Quercus hemisphaerica-dominated forest.