Pinus clausa (Chapm. ex Engelm.) Vasey ex Sarg.

Sand Pine

Tree

Perennial

Vascular

Sand Pine is a native evergreen needle-leafed tree in the Pine family (Pinaceae). It is native to the coastal areas of Baldwin County in Alabama, but has been widely planted in commercial forests inland. It occurs on dunes, in sandhills, and in other areas with deep sandy soils. Sand Pine is a tree reaching 60-40-60 feet in height. The trunk is often crooked with numerous branches. The bark is reddish-brown to gray and platy. The lower dead limbs often remain attached to the tree. The evergreen needle leaves occur in fascicles of 2. The leaves are yellowish green and straight to slightly twisted. Pollen cones are less than ½ inch in length and brownish-yellow in color. Seed cones are ovoid in outline, 1-3 inches in length, gray-brown in color, with sharp prickles. The cones are sometimes serotinous—remaining attached to the tree but not opening to release the seed until exposed to the heat of a forest fire. The seed are winged. Sand Pine is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state), and globally as a G4 species (imperiled globally because of rarity (6 - 20 occurrences, or few remaining acres, or miles of stream) or very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range because of other factors). Sand Pine is sometimes planted for pulp on deep sandy sites, but the retention of branches and imbedded un-opened cones make it unsuitable for lumber.—A. Diamond

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Native S2 (State Rank) G4 (Global Rank)

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