The Conecuh Longleaf Pine Seed Bed Burn

An initial catch of 1,000 or more longleaf pine seedlings per acre was obtained on 93 percent of 26,010 acres on the Conecuh National Forest in South Alabama at a cost of approximately one percent of the cost of planting. The average per acre catch was 13,200 with 4,000 or more on 73 percent of the area. Tbis reproduction resulted from prescribed burning done between August 7 and October 30, 1947, prior to an excellent seed crop. The nature of the area, planning and execution of the operation, costs, and results are discussed in this article. It is a preliminary report. The hazards to longleaf seedlings during the first summer after germination are so variable, and in some years so high, that final results cannot be given until later. The burning techniques and cost figures seem useful enough, however, and the initial catch and early growth of seedlings promising enough, to justify early publication.