Forest Trees

Notice the mix of pine trees, oak trees, and other tree species around you. On your left you’ll see saw palmetto, a common small evergreen palm. Palmetto berries produced by this plant are an important food source for a variety of Florida wildlife from white-tailed deer to insects. Saw palmetto gets its common name from the row of tiny teeth along the petiole or stalk. To your right you’ll see a pine flatwoods habitat. Pine flatwoods are dominated by, you guessed it, pine trees! This habitat is fire dependent and typically occurs on low, flat land with sandy soil. Pine flatwoods are important for many wildlife species. Listen closely and maybe you will hear a pileated woodpecker!