Southern Research Station

Title: Longleaf Pine Cone Crops and Climate: A Possible Link

Author: Pederson, Neil; Kush, John S.; Meldahl, Ralph S.; Bayer, William D.

Date: 1999

Source: Paper presented at the Tenth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Shreveport, LA, February 16-18. 1999.

Description: The physiological development of longieaf pine seed extends over three calendar years. The duration of this process may explain the reason for infrequent seed crops. Infrequent crops cause problems for those interested in natural regeneration. Longleaf pine cone crops have been monitored on the Escambia Experimental Forest (EEF) in Brewton, AL since 1958. Weather data was logged up to 4 years prior to seedfall to determine if a relationship exists between climate and cone crops. Correlation analyses indicated precipitation explained 48.6 percent of annual cone crop varialion while average monthly temperatures explained 33.7 percent. With knowledge of important months for cone production it seems likely that mangers would be able to prepare for large crops to reduce management costs. We suggest managers capture as much reproduction as possible in preparation for a reproductive drought similar to the 1969-1975 interval at EEF.

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Citation

Pederson, Neil; Kush, John S.; Meldahl, Ralph S.; Bayer, William D.  1999.  Longleaf Pine Cone Crops and Climate: A Possible Link.   Paper presented at the Tenth Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference, Shreveport, LA, February 16-18. 1999..