Estimating seed quantity and quality in shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata Mill.) cones from natural stands

The quantity and quality of seeds were studied in 886 shortleaf pine cones collected from 48 trees in each of two 15-ha natural stands in western Arkansas, USA. The number of seeds per cone ranged from 0 to 102, and averaged 34.6 and 38.0 in the two stands. Between 30 and 50 percent of the seeds were sound. Overall mean values for total number and total sound seeds compare with previous work. However, the wide variation between individual trees in a stand needs to be considered when evaluating cone abundance and estimating potential seed yields. For the stands observed in this study, a sample of 65 to 85 cones would be needed to estimate the number of sound seeds per cone (within ±3 seeds) with 95 percent probability. Sampling 1 or 2 cones from each of about 3 trees per ha would provide a reliable estimate of sound seed contents.