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Insects Affecting Seed Production of Slash and Longleaf Pines

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Tree planting rates in the South have rocketed over the past three decades, and the area now leads the nation in plantation establishment. During 1960 over a half-million acres were planted in the states of Georgia and Florida alone. Such extensive planting, mainly of pines, has brought in its train a need for more seed and better seed. Each year the demand intensifies for seed from trees of known geographical origin with proven or inheritable desirable traits such as superior growth rates, superior form, disease resistance, or gum-producing capability. This demand in turn has led government and industry to establish extensive seed production areas and seed orchards composed of selected trees. Seed losses to date have. been very heavy, and it is plain that natural losses of developing cones must be reduced if we are to harvest quantity seed yields from such trees. Most damage is done by insects.

Citation

Ebel, Bernard H. 1963. Insects Affecting Seed Production of Slash and Longleaf Pines. Res. Pap. SE-6. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southeastern Forest Experiment Station. 14 p.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/3228