Natural pine forests, as opposed to pine tree farms, often are found with sandhills. These are dry habitats, dominated by pine species such as longleaf and slash pines (in south Florida) in association with saw palmetto, wiregrass, and scrubby oak species. This habitat is becoming rarer in Florida as development increases. Fire is an important factor in pineland communities, and land managers use prescribed fire to help maintain it. A wide variety of wildlife uses pinelands including the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker. Bald Eagles and Great Horned Owls are also at home in the pine woods.
