Florida, land of exotic invasive species.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/florida/stories-in-florida/combating-invasive-species-in-florida/&ved=2ahUKEwjkoYDvjc_4AhXPJ0QIHVEIBoMQFnoECAgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3YrM0cErw-EP_5iSrRKHI3

Where in central FL is this? I live NE of Orlando and have not seen any of the species mentioned naturalizing, although they are present in the planted landscape.

Thanks, interesting. Alittle surprised seeing araucaria growing wild, as these are typically tropical. A severe cold spell in central FL might kill them. Loblolly pine is not native here in west MD, but I very occasionally see a few young ones growing beside some plantings of them. Also as you say I see a few Scots pine and Norway spruce volunteers in similar settings.

Here in Pennsylvania I have seen Norway spruce reseed and grow into new trees. However they never stray far from the parent plants and seem to form colonies.

Kenns, all of these are in south brevard county and north indian river county, and all in relatively close proximity to the coast if I recall correctly. Which may explain why they dont naturalize in orlando.

Larry, while florida certainly has a invasive species problem I honestly wouldnt consider any of these Conifers invasive none of them are really taking over, the Callitris comes closest to being invasive but that large colony is growing in a area that was clear cut long ago.

Regarding the araucarias growing wild I believe that the area they are growing in is a perfect micro climate for them its on a costal barrier island that is a zone 10a climate and has rich muck soil.

Speaking of loblolly pine its native north of orlando, but of the ones that I have seen planted around here I have yet to see one even self seed, which is strange considering they are native 80 miles north of here.

I read once long ago that lobs don't reproduce here because of relatively high night temps during their typical germination period. There are some in this area, but most pines are slash with a few longleafs, and sand pines in the white sugar sand areas. In TN were I moved from, lobs grow VERY well, to the point that they are farmed for pulp and saw logs. In TN they are supposedly native only in the extreme SW and SE corners of the state, but whenever they are planted they naturalize aggressively.

When I travel to Brevard it's like going from the sub tropics to the tropics, plant wise LOL.

Not sure if this counts but here is pinus ellottii var ellottii self seeding in the range of pinus ellottii var. densa

This last photo for comparisons sake are some var. densa seedlings, as you can see they have a much more pronouced grass stage.

I recently returned to the site of the naturalized araucaria columnaris and counted atleast 10 adult speciments and a good amount of seedlings coming up.