Sorry to say that I have never seen a "naturally" grown Podocarpus in my area of California....mine included. We generally shear them as foundation plantings next to homes or businesses. Such a routine way of treating them here I always considered Podocarpus a shrub rather than a tree. Go figure...

Barbara

I've seen Prumnopitys andina used as a hedge, very much the same effect as yew but slightly more glaucous colour.

I'd think the much larger leaves of Podocarpus macrophyllus would make it more difficult to trim neatly, as you'd end up with lots of unsightly cut-in-half leaves.

"and some other kind of conifer native to florida (Slate pine or something. It's Pinus, but that's all I know)"

The name you're looking for is Slash Pine Pinus elliottii. But could also be one of the Mexican or Central American pines. Whereabouts is this?

Resin

In Hawaii A. columnaris is much more prevalent than A. heterophylla. The way it tends to lean to one side, like the Leaning Tower of Pisa can be a bit unnerving.