Evaluation of ponderosa pine seed sources for windbreaks in the central great plains of the united states

Abstract

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) has been planted widely in the Great Plains of the United States for windbreaks. Recommendations based on a 1968 study were to use material from south central South Dakota and north central Nebraska. A second test to further delineate seed sources (provenances) in this region was established in 1986. This paper reports results for survival, height, diameter, and D2H measurements in both Kansas and South Dakota, after 15 years. Results identify a wide range of suitable geographic provenances within the two-state region. A majority of the tested sources performed well in both states, thus verifying the original recommendations. © 2011 International Society of Arboriculture.