Date of sowing and emergence timing affect growth and development of loblolly pine seedlings

Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seeds were sown from February to June in Alabama, U.S.A. If sowing was conducted in May or June, seedling emergence was reduced and seedling mortality increased. Seedlings from earlier sowings grew to greater sizes, but seedlings from later sowings grew later into the fall. Within any given sowing date, the earliest seedlings to emerge grew largest. Seedlings from the February sowing formed buds in mid-summer, flushed, and in some instances flushed yet again. However, by early October, not all seedlings from May and June sowings had formed an initial bud.