Merits of using mechanical treatments to stimulate cone production of slash and longleaf pine

Abstract

four mechanical treatments (untreated, partial girdling in the spring, partial girdling in summer, and banding in spring) stimulated cone production of pole-sized slash and longleaf pines. A 2- to 3-fold increase in slash pine seed production was limited to the first crop originating after the treatments were applied. However, the treatments killed half the longleaf pines, preventing any overall increase in seed productivity. Although mechanical stimulation of cone production has been reported for decades, the method cannot be generally recommended for use in slash and longleaf pine seed orchards where the value of individual trees is great and where susceptibility to injury may vary by species and clonal family.

Citation

Barnett, James P. 1993. Merits of using mechanical treatments to stimulate cone production of slash and longleaf pine. In: Lantz, Clark W.; Moorhead, David J., cornps., Proceedings of the 22nd southern forest tree improvement conference; 1993 June 14-17; Atlanta, GA. Athens, GA: Cooperative Extension Service: 59-64.