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Abstract
Sonderegger pine (
Pinus x
sondereggeri), the natural hybrid of longleaf (
P. palustris) and loblolly pine (
P. taeda), is often described as having stem and branch deformities at maturity that may lead to poor wood quality. For this reason, Sonderegger pine seedlings are traditionally culled from southern forest tree nurseries to ensure only pure longleaf pine seedlings are outplanted to meet landowner objectives. The general acceptance of Sonderegger pine as an inferior tree has led to an absence of research to determine its morphological development from the seedling to mature stand management phases. In 2018, 400 Sonderegger pine seedlings were operationally detected in the nursery and outplanted on the Catahoula Ranger District of the Kisatchie National Forest (Pollock, LA) with the main objective of evaluating and describing their morphological development over time. Before planting, seedling height to the terminal bud and root collar diameter were measured. In the field, tree height and diameter at breast height measurements were recorded, and evaluations for stem straightness, forking defects, ramicorn branches, and disease occurrence were made. These observations along with ongoing assessments of branch angle, diameter, and height along the bole may provide insight into Sonderegger pine morphology at age five as it relates to long-term wood quality and utilization.
Parent Publication
Citation
Shoemaker, Kelsey D.; Jackson, D. Paul; Adams, Joshua P. 2024. Evaluating Stem and Branch Characteristics of 5-Year-Old Sonderegger Pine Saplings. In: Bragg, Don C.; Oswald, Brian P.; Koerth, Nancy E., eds. Proceedings of the 22nd biennial southern silvicultural research conference. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-274. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station: 281–286. https://doi.org/10.2737/SRS-GTR-274-Pap42.
