Hardwood hammocks have an elevation of three to seven feet above sea level. They are usually protected from fires by moats that surround them. These tree islands differ from the bay head by having larger tree species as well as a larger variety of plant life. Some typical trees found there are the royal palm, mahogany, gumbo-limbo, and live oak. It is the driest park habitat and very rocky.
Fire is an important part of the pinelands survival.
It burns out the underbrush ensuring the pine trees' survival. The pine trees, however, have a natural protection to fire. Their bark insulates their trunk, and the fire helps the trees reproduce . Indians used the soot from the burnt trees for facial paint. The panther is an endangered species that uses the pinelands as it's habitat.