Performance of Diverse Provenances of Loblolly Pine Throughout the Southeastern United States

Abstract

Unimproved loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlots from Livingston Parish, LA, Marion County, FL, Gulf Hammock (Levy County), FL, and the Eastern Shore of MD and VA were established in field trials throughout the southeastern United States in 1975-1978. When compared to open-pollinatedfamilies from first-generation seed orchards at eight years of age, stem height and fusiform rust (Cronartium quercuum [Berk.] Miyabe ex Shirai f. sp. fusiforme) resistance of Livingston Parish trees were better in most locations, but survival was generally poorer. In the northernmost environments,the Livingston Parish provenance grew poorly and had very poor survival, indicating a low adaptability to these sites. The two Florida provenances had average performance only in the deep South. The Eastern Shore provenance had average growth in Virginia and other colder climates both withinand outside the natural range of loblolly pine. In every region, Eastern Shore was above average in survival and exhibited the best rust resistance of any provenance tested. South. J. Appl. For. 13(1):46-51