Historic records, interviews, and palynological data indicate that since colonial times, logging, live-stock grazing, and fire have altered the species composition and structure of Buxton Woods. Although evergreen oaks dominated the woods in the colonial period, loblobby pine (Pinus taeda) is presently the most important tree in terms of basal area. Since the beginning of this century, disturbance frequencies and intensities have fluctuated. Major logging of loblolly pine took place about 1910. Grazing animals were removed about 1937, allowing release of overgrazed understories. Human-caused fire was common in the early part of the century, but rarely resulted in major burns, probably because of low fuel loadings. Changes in understory structure indicate that Buxton Woods is succeeding to hardwoods, but in the interior of the woods, laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia) and red bay (Persea borbonia) are recovering much more quickly than live oak (Quercus virginiana) which is represented by a few mature trees and sprouts at scattered locations.