In Florida's Ocala National Forest, unmanaged stands of sand pine (Firms clausa (Chapm.) Vasey) have regenerated for many years as a result of wildfires. When a killing fire sweeps through a stand of cone-bearing trees, the serotinous cones open and release tremendous quantities of seed. Dense stands of reproduction (fig. 1) usually follow such fires. The standing trees, however, are killed and only a small part of the merchantable timber can be salvaged. Hence this method of reproduction has no place in forest management. Sand pine is relatively short lived (70 years), growing to a height of 65 feet and maximum diameter of 18 inches. It grows in dense, even-aged, pure stands as a direct result of past fires. Cones are borne at an early age and frequently mature on 5-year-old trees.