Competition Forest species have adapted many strategies for dominating an area. I will examine two of them.
Pines take advantage of the opportunities after a fire.
They produce large amounts of wind blown seed that sprout with contact with dirt. They have fast growth when they are young and dominate a site for the first fifty years or so after a hot wildfire. Oaks, on the other hand, are slow growing. With the help of squirrels, they begin their reign until a hot wildfire or tornado or mankind opens up areas of opportunity for the pines, again. Squirrels and Oak trees Squirrels and Oak trees have developed an interesting relationship.