Longieaf pine genetics

Using natural regen,eration can be risky, however. A good example is from the Southwide Southern Pine Seed Source Study (SSPSSS), iongleaf phase, established in the early 1950’s (Wells and Wakeley 1970). The stands and trees from which seed was collected were carefully chosen to be representative of the genetic resource of the area. One of the seed sources, from southeastern Louisiana performed much below expectations in growth and survival after 10 years. Upon investigation, Wakeiey found that the area had been clear-cut in 1905, and that the stand seeded in from three, possibly four residual trees. Aliozyme analysis later showed that the source was indeed genetically challenged (Schmidtiing and Hipkins 1998).