Its effects on vegetation depend on soil moisture and topography. Longleaf pine perpetuates in pure stands when burned during winter every 3 to 4 years. After 10 to 12 years it can survive winter fires that do not crown. If less than 40 percent of its crown is scorched, slash pine growth may be enhanced by fire. Sweetgum too is damaged by fire, opening it up to decay.
White oak needs periodic fire to perpetuate because it is shade intolerant.
Important understory species in longleaf pine and slash pine stands, saw-palmetto and inkberry, are highly flammable. For more detailed information on fire's effects, refer to species write-ups in the FEIS database. Turkey oak was also present in these stands. Fire may have been less frequent on dry sandhill sites because of dissected topography and sparse fuels. As moisture increased, longleaf pine occurred with slash pine, bluejack oak, blackjack oak, and post oak.