Soil textures and moisture retention capabilities are considered here for each of the three pine species in this Kuchler type. All three species do well in sandy loams with good moisture retention. Red pine is subdominant with jack pine or aspens in mixed stands and codominant with eastern white pine on dry, sandy loams. Some of the wildlife species found in the Great Lakes pine forest include black bear, wolf, coyote, fox, bobcat, moose, deer, hares, cottontail, beaver, great-horned owl, hawks, bald eagle, and a variety of passerine birds. The breeding population of passerine birds averages 153 pairs per 100 acres.
White pine is more shade tolerant than either red or jack pine.
Jack pine is a pioneer species on burned over or otherwise exposed sites. On these poorer sites jack pine persists when succession stagnates. It often succeeds jack pine, paper birch, and aspens. On poor sites red pine-dominated subclimax may develop if the site is undisturbed. It can establish well on poorer sites due to reduced competition from hardwoods.