Natural seed fall in white pine (Pinus strobus L.) stands of varying density /

Abstract

Abstrdct.-Seed fall was observed in three stands of mature white pines at stand basal-area densities of 80, 120, and 187 square feet per acre. It was found that the intermediate-density stand produced nearly 50 percent more seed than the stands of other densities. During a good seed year this stand produced 59 pounds of dry sound seed per acre. Most of the seeds were dispersed during a-/-week period beginning about the middle of September. The seed crop was reduced by action of birds, animals, and insects. A detailed knowledge of natural seedfall is of value to the forest manager, particularly when natural regeneration is planned. This information can also be useful in estimating seed crops and in scheduling seed-collection activities. Little is known about the qualitative and quantitative aspects of eastern white pine seed pro:luction. Most of the meager knowledge available is in the very general source, The Woody-Plant Seed Manual.' The only detailed study of white pine seed fall was done by Messer2 in Germany, and this is not readily available, even if it could be assumed to be applicable in Northeastern forests. To gain some of the needed information about white pine seed fall, a study was made in southwestern Maine. W e found that seed fall 'bnited States Forest Service. WOODY-PLANT SEED MANUAL. U.S. Dep. Agr. Misc. Pub. 654, 416 pp., illus. 1948. Messer, H. Untersuchungen iiber das Fruchten der Wey~nouths Kiefer (Pinus stvobus L.) und der griinen Douglasie (Pseudolsugu tuxifolia var. v j r i d i ~). Ztschr. Forstgenet. 5 (2) : 33-40. 1956.