Phenology of Terminal Growth In Slash Pine: Some Differences Related to Geographic Seed Source

Key Points

Northern provenances of slash pine showed increased terminal growth rates early in the season.
Total growth was highest among sources from the north-central region, suggesting optimal climatic conditions.
Sources from peninsular Florida exhibited slightly enhanced growth during late summer compared to other regions.
Understanding these growth variations can inform forestry practices and seed source selection.

Abstract

Abstract Observations were made on the terminal growth phenology of 6-year-old slash pine ( Pinus elliottii Engelm. ) from 14 geographic sources growing in a plantation in northeastern Florida. Differences in time of beginning of terminal growth were minor. But provenances from the north-central portion (optimal climate zone) of the species grew more rapidly during the early portion of the season than did those from the extreme northern or southern areas. Sources from peninsular Florida made somewhat more growth than other provenances in late summer. Total growth during the year was greatest among sources from the north-central region. Some possible causes for variation in terminal growth patterns among slash pine provenances and the practical implications of such variation are discussed.

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