Tampa's version of Autumn

[southernnaturelover]

Those Turkey oaks are unique in that they are adapted to fire. Originally much of southern coastal plain was covered in pine forests (mostly Longleaf and Slash pines), and these oaks evolved in the understory which is why most of them are smaller. About every three years or so natural fires would sweep through the forests and and clear out the overgrown vegetation, but the turkey oaks would simply resprout from the roots and start over.

Google "Longleaf pine ecosystem" and you'll find plenty of interesting info (in my opinion).

[housingcrashsurvivor]

Interesting what you said (will google later, got a lunch date soon) as you'll note in a pic of the original post that these turkey oaks are indeed growing among the pines in my yard.