We're pretty far inland - salt water intrusion isn't a problem here. Yet. I think sometimes it's just a combination of sandy soil, smaller trees dying off because they can't get the light and nutrients they need, and just the pine forest regulating itself. I've read these longleaf forests are typically more open, so it doesn't surprise me much to see them do things like this.

That jar of oils honestly smelled mostly like patchouli and ... kind of a smokey smell that's hard to describe. Like the incense display in a hippie shop.