Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Shortleaf pine seed production in natural stands in the Ouachita and Ozark mountains

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Seed production of shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) was monitored from 1965 to 1974 to determine the periodicity qf seed crops in both woods-run stands and seed-production areas. One bumper and two good seed crops occurred during the 9-yr period. The two largest crops occurred in successive years, then seed production was low for 4 yr before another good crop occurred. Mean annual seed production ranged from 84,000/ac in the western Ouachitas to 167,00O/ac in seed-production areas in the southern Ozarks. Certain stand level variables significantly influenced seed production. Seed production was positively related to stand age and negatively related to pine and hardwood basal areas; although frequently significant, no consistent relationship occurred with stand elevation. Results indicate that shortleaf pine seed production will usually be adequate, for natural regeneration within most of the study area.

Citation

Shelton, Michael G.; Wittwer, Robert F. 1996. Shortleaf pine seed production in natural stands in the Ouachita and Ozark mountains. South. J. Appl. For. 20(2):74-80.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/9553