Southern
Research Station

Education

Ph.D. in Forestry, 1991

University of Missouri

M.S. in Forestry, 1986

University of Minnesota

B.S. in Biology, 1983

South Dakota State University

Featured Publications and Products

• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Haywood, James D. 2011. Longleaf Pine Root System Development and Seedling Quality in Response to Copper Root Pruning and Cavity Size.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Kuehler, Eric A. 2010. Influence of repeated prescribed fire and herbicide application on the fine root biomass of young longleaf pine.
• Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Haywood, James D.; Sword-Sayer, Mary A.; Connor, Kristina F.; Scott, D. Andrew. 2010. Effects of container cavity size and copper coating on field performance of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Haywood, James D.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2009. Cavity size and copper root pruning affect production and establishment of container-grown longleaf pine seedlings.
• Tang, Zhenmin; Chambers, Jim L.; Sword, Mary A.; Yu, Shufang; Barnett, James P. 2004. Reapplication of Silvicultural Treatments Impacts Phenology and Photosynthetic Gas Exchange of Loblolly Pine.

Publications

• Cone, N.J., IV.; Blazier, M.A. ; Adams, J.P. ; Sayer, M.A.S. ; Tyree, M.C. . 2022. Effect of the systemic neonicotinoid insecticide dinotefuran on leaf-level photosynthesis in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).
• Mensah, John K.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Nadel, Ryan L.; Duwadi, Shrijana ; Fan, Zhaofei ; Carter, Emily A.; Eckhardt, Lori G. 2022. Effect of Leptographium terebrantis on foliage, new root dynamics, and stemwood growth in a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation.
• Mensah, John K.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Nadel, Ryan L.; Matusick, George ; Fan, Zhaofei ; Carter, Emily A.; Eckhardt, Lori G. 2021. Leptographium terebrantis inoculation and associated crown symptoms and tree mortality in Pinus taeda.
• Pellegrini, Adam F. A.; Refsland, Tyler ; Averill, Colin ; Terrer, César ; Staver, A. Carla; Brockway, Dale G.; Caprio, Anthony ; Clatterbuck, Wayne ; Coetsee, Corli ; Haywood, James D.; Hobbie, Sarah E.; Hoffmann, William A.; Kush, John ; Lewis, Tom ; Moser, W. Keith; Overby, Steven T.; Patterson, William A.; Peay, Kabir G.; Reich, Peter B.; Ryan, Casey ; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Scharenbroch, Bryant C.; Schoennagel, Tania ; Smith, Gabriel Reuben; Stephan, Kirsten ; Swanston, Chris ; Turner, Monica G.; Varner, J. Morgan; Jackson, Robert B. 2021. Decadal changes in fire frequencies shift tree communities and functional traits.
• Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Haywood, James D. 2020. Is planting stocktype critical to long-term field performance of longleaf pine?.
• Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Tyree, Michael C.; Rudd, Brian M. 2020. Optimum prescribed fire conditions for foliage regrowth among longleaf pine seedlings.
• Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Tyree, Michael C.; Kuehler, Eric A.; Jackson, John K.; Dillaway, Dylan N. 2020. Physiological mechanisms of foliage recovery after spring or fall crown scorch in young longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.).
• Mensah, John K.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Nadel, Ryan L.; Matusick, George ; Eckhardt, Lori G. 2020. Physiological response of Pinus taeda L. trees to stem inoculation with Leptographium terebrantis.
• Laseter, Stephanie H.; Vose, James M.; Guldin, James M.; Bragg, Don C.; Spetich, Martin A.; Keyser, Tara L.; Elliott, Katherine J.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2018. Experimental forests of the Southern Research Station: highlights of foundational silviculture studies.
• Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Tyree, Michael C.; Dillaway, Dylan N.; Rudd, Brian M. 2018. Foliage re-establishment of Pinus palustris Mill. saplings after spring or fall prescribed fire.
• Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Tule, James ; Dougherty, Phil ; Muir, Nicholas G. 2018. Understanding carbon sink-source relationships in seed orchard loblolly pine ramets.
• Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Tule, James ; Muir, Nicholas G.; Dougherty, Phil . 2018. Understanding the fertilization and irrigation response of seed orchard loblolly pine.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Tyree, Michael C.; Blazier, Michael A.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Eckhardt, Lori G. 2016. Is natural defense capacity correlated with allocation of dry mass to the stem in loblolly pine?.
• Leduc, Daniel J.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Brockway, Dale G.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2016. Weather effects on the success of longleaf pine cone crops.
• Haywood, James D.; Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2015. Comparison of planted loblolly, longleaf, and slash pine development through 10 growing seasons in central Louisiana--an argument for longleaf pine.
• Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Haywood, James D.; Sayer, Mary Anne S. 2015. Current-year flush and needle development in longleaf pine saplings after a dormant season prescribed fire.
• Jackson, John K.; Dillaway, Dylan N.; Tyree, Michael C.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2015. Effects of spring prescribed fire on short-term, leaf-level photosynthesis and water use efficiency in longleaf pine.
• Sayer, Mary Anne S.; Haywood, James D.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana. 2015. Soil physical effects on longleaf pine performance in the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
• Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Haywood, James D.; Leduc, Daniel; Sword-Sayer, Mary A. 2013. Developmental dynamics of longleaf pine seedling flushes and needles.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2013. Surface soil root distribution and possible interaction with site factors in a young longleaf pine stand.
• Haywood, James D.; Sung, Shi-Jean Susana; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2012. Copper Root Pruning and Container Cavity Size Influence Longleaf Pine Growth through Five Growing Seasons.
• Goelz, J.C.G.; Strom, B.L.; Barnett, J.P.; Sword Sayer, M.A. 2012. Guidelines for regenerating southern pine beetle spots.
• Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Leduc, Daniel J.; Haywood, James D.; Eberhardt, Thomas L.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Zarnoch, Stanley J. 2012. Methodology and preliminary results of evaluating stem displacement and assessing root system architecture of longleaf pine saplings.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Haywood, James D. 2012. Surface soil root response to season of repeated fire in a young longleaf pine plantation.
• Hood, Wilson G.; Tyree, Michael C.; Dillaway, Dylan N.; Blazier, Michael A.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2012. Whole canopy gas exchange among elite loblolly pine families subjected to drought stress.
• Osbon, Bradley S.; Blazier, Michael A.; Tyree, Michael C.; Sword-Sayer, Mary Anne. 2012. Whole-canopy gas exchange among four elite loblolly pine seed sources planted in the western gulf region.
• Eckhardt, Lori; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Imm, Don. 2010. State of pine decline in the southeastern United States.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Haywood, James D. 2009. Fire and longleaf pine physiology - Does timing affect response? In: Proc.
• Sung, Shi-Jean S.; Haywood, James D.; Zarnoch, Stanley J.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2009. Long-Term Container Effects on Root System Architecture of Longleaf Pine.
• Sword Sayer, M.A.; Eckhardt, L.G.; Carter, E.A. 2009. Nutrition challenges of longleaf pine in the southeast.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2007. Repeated fire effects on soil physical properties in two young longleaf pine stands on the west gulf coastal plain.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Goelz, J.C.G.; Haywood, James D. 2006. Effects of prescribed fire on production of foliage by sapling longleaf pine.
• Kuehler, Eric A.; Sword Sayer, Marry Anne; Andries, C. Dan. 2006. How does fire affect longleaf pine roots carbohydrates, foliar nutrients, and sapling growth?.
• Haywood, James D.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Tiarks, Allan E. 2006. Intensive management of loblolly pine during establishment influences nutrition and productivity through 15 growing seasons.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Kuehler, Eric A. 2005. Crown physiology and growth of sapling longleaf pine after fire.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Haywood, James D. 2005. Fine root production and carbohydrate concentrations of mature longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Mill.) as affected by season of prescribed fire and drought.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Brissette, John C.; Barnett, James P. 2005. Root growth and hydraulic conductivity of southern pine seedlings in response to soil temperature and water availability after planting.
• Haywood, James D.; Sword, Mary Anne; Harris, Finis L. 2004. Fire Monitoring: Effects of Scorch in Louisiana's Pine Forests.
• Tang, Zhenmin; Sword Sayer, Mary A.; Chambers, Jim L.; Barnett, James P. 2004. Interactive effects of fertilization and throughfall exclusion on the physiological responses and whole-tree carbon uptake of mature loblolly pine.
• Kuehler, Eric A.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Haywood, James D.; Andries, C. Dan. 2004. Long-Term Effects of Season of Prescribed Burn on the Fine-Root Growth, Root Carbohydrates, and Foliar Dynamics of Mature Longleaf Pine.
• Sword Sayer, Mary A.; Goelz, Jeffery C.; Chambers, Jim L.; Tang, Zhenmin; Dean, T.J.; Haywood, James D.; Leduc, Daniel J. 2004. Long-term trends in loblolly pine productivity and stand characteristics in response to thinning and fertilization in the West Gulf region.
• Ward, Kenneth E.; Sword Sayer, Mary Anne. 2004. Susceptibility of Potted Sweetgum Seedlings to Insect Herbivore Damage as Influenced by Fertilization.
• Tang, Zhenmin; Chambers, Jim L.; Sword Sayer, Mary A.; Barnett, James P. 2003. Seasonal photosynthesis and water relations of juvenile loblolly pine relative to stand density and canopy position.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Anne; Tiarks, Allan E. 2002. Local Soils Information Needed to Define the Root Zone in Process Models on the Gulf Coastal Plain.
• Tinus, Richard W.; Sword, Mary Anne; Barnett, James P. 2002. Prevention of Cold Damage to Container-Grown Longleaf Pine Roots.
• Sword Sayer, Mary Ann; Kuehler, Eric. 2000. Above- and below-ground growth of longleaf pine in response to three prescribed burning regimes.
• Sword, Mary A.; Kuehler, Eric A.; Tang, Zhenmin. 2000. Seasonal Fine Root Carbohydrate Relations of Plantation Loblolly Pine After Thinning.
• Bamett, James P.; Tiarks, Allan E.; Sword, Mary Anne. 2000. Sustaining Productivity of Planted Forests in the Gulf Coast Region.
• Sword, Mary Anne; Haywood, James D. 1999. Effects of Crown Scorch on Longleaf Pine Fine Roots.
• Kuehler, Eric A.; Sword, Mary Anne; Andries, C. Dan. 1999. Seasonal Fine-Root Carbohydrate and Growth Relations of Plantation Loblolly Pine After Thinning and Fertilization.
• Sword, Mary A.; Chambers, Jim L.; Gravatt, Dennis A.; Haywood, James D.; Barnett, James P. 1998. Ecophysiological Response of Managed Loblolly Pine to Changes in Stand Environment.
• Sword, Mary A.; Tiarks, Allan E.; Haywood, James D. 1998. Establishment treatments affect the relationships among nutrition, productivity and competing vegetation of loblolly pine saplings on a Gulf Coastal Plain site.
• Sword, Mary Anne; Haywood, James D.; Andries, C. Dan. 1998. Seasonal Lateral Root Growth of Juvenile Loblolly Pine After Thinning and Fertilization on Gulf Coastal Plain Site.
• Sword, M.A. 1995. Root-zone temperature and water availability affect early root growth of planted longleaf pine.
• Sword, Mary Anne; Garrett, Harold E. 1994. Boric acid-phenolic relationships within the Pinus echinata-Pisolithus tinctorius ectomycorrhizal association.
• Sword, Mary Anne; Smith, Joan P.; Garrett, Harold E. 1991. Effect of Glomus spp. on the growth of eastern cottonwood cuttings.

Research Highlights

Tailoring Prescribed Fire for the Private Landowner (2014)

The fate of the Range-Wide Conservation Plan for Longleaf Pine will be determined by private landowners' willingness to commit to longleaf pine as a species of choice. Research is being conducted to tailor prescribed fire so that growth losses are not a routine cost of repeated burning.

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Tailoring Prescribed Fire to Benefit Private Landowners and Longleaf Pine Restoration Efforts (2019)

Strides to restore fire-adapted longleaf pine ecosystems depend on private landowner buy-in. Often landowner objectives demand more than longleaf survival and ecosystem restoration; they also require an acceptable rate of wood production. Maximizing growth of young longleaf pine requires rapid regrowth of scorched foliage to sustain normal carbon fixation and allocation.

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