News Releases from the Southern Research Station

Guidelines for Producing Quality Longleaf Pine Seeds

Asheville, NC -- Over the past decade, interest in restoring longleaf pine to sites in the South has grown dramatically. One of the limitations to reforestation efforts has been a lack of high-quality seeds. A new set of guidelines by Jim Barnett and John McGilvray is now available in both electronic and printed formats.

Unlike most southern pines, longleaf pine seeds are unusually sensitive to damage and present unique challenges for collection and storage. Longleaf seeds-large and fragile with thin seedcoats-do not germinate well if cones are not fully mature. To further complicate matters, the seeds have an extremely short dormancy period, often germinating immediately after separating from the cone. In addition, longleaf pine seed production is uneven, varying greatly from year to year and place to place.

In convenient pamphlet format, Barnett, project leader of the SRS Southern Pine Forests unit in Pineville, LA, and McGilvray, retired biological technician from the same unit, present detailed, research-based guidelines for collecting and processing both cones and seeds, sowing seeds, and caring for seedlings.

For more information: Jim Barnett at (318-473-7216) or jpbarnett@fs.fed.us

Hard copies of "Guidelines for Producing Quality Longleaf Pine Seeds" can be ordered by email at pubrequest@srs.fs.usda.gov or fax at (828-259-0520). Written requests should be made to

Include the publication number (GTR-SRS-52) in all requests. Electronic copies are available from the SRS website at /pubs/viewpub.jsp?index=4538