Scrub Forests Zone 10

Characterized by deep acid sand with virtually no organic matter content except for surface litter, the soils are infertile and extremely well-drained, being low in moisture retention. Under natural conditions, high intensity fires occur at 20-80 year intervals. Plants require good drainage and suffer from flooding and wet or heavy soils. They are drought and frost resistant and can endure light shade and slight salt exposure. Sand Pine Scrub is dominated by Sand Pines (Pinus clausa); in the absence of pines, understory trees and shrubs function as canopy in the dwarf forest.