| Authors: |
William D. Boyer |
| Year: |
1998 |
| Type: |
General Technical Report |
| Station: |
Southern Research Station |
| Source: |
In: Proceedings of the ninth biennial southern silvicultural research conference; 1997 February 25-27; Clemson, SC. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-20. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 92-98. |
Abstract
Abstract.Cone production by longleaf pine has been followed for up to 30 years in regeneration areas at five to nine coastal plain sites from North Carolina to Louisiana. A rapid increase in the size and frequency of cone crops has occured since 1986 following 20 years of relative stability. Cone production for the last 10 years averaged 36 cones per tree versus 14 cones per tree for the preceding 20 years. This change was evident at most sites, including the Escambia Experimental Forest where longleaf pollen shed has been recorded since 1957 and counts of female flowers in regeration areas since 1970. Although pollen production was cyclic, no long-term change was evident. The recent increase in cone production seems due to both an increase in flower production and an increase in the fraction of flowers surviving to become mature cones.
Citation
Boyer, William D. 1998. Long-term changes in flowering and cone production by longleaf pine. In: Proceedings of the ninth biennial southern silvicultural research conference; 1997 February 25-27; Clemson, SC. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-20. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 92-98.
