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Table 1. Some important silvical characteristics of longleaf pine.

Climate Warm, wet temperate climates characterized by hot summers and mild winters.

Soils & Topography Variety of sites ranging from wet, poorly drained flatwoods to dry, rocky mountain ridges.

Reproduction Monoecious; Strobili initiated during the growing season before the buds emerge; Pollination occurs in late winter or spring, but fertilization occurs the following spring; Cones reach maturity in their second year.

Seed Production Best cone producers are dominant, open grown individuals with large crowns; on average sites longleaf can produce 2,500 cones per hectare every 4-5 years.

Seed Dispersal Seeds dispersed by the wind, most falling within 20 m of the seed tree.

Seedling Development Seeds quickly germinate after dispersed; seeds require contact with bare mineral soil for germination; Primary and secondary needles occur about 2 months after germination, however, stem development is delayed as longleaf pine seedlings are described as being in a 'grass stage.'

Vegetative Reproduction If top killed, longleaf pine seedlings can sprout from the root collar.

Rooting Habit Develop a massive taproot and extensive lateral root systems.

Competition Intolerant of competition, whether for light, moisture, or nutrients.

Damaging Agents Brown spot needle blight; pitch canker; relatively resistant to southern pine beetle; tolerant of fire

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Climate	Warm, wet temperate climates characterized by hot summers and mild winters.
Soils & Topography	Variety of sites ranging from wet, poorly drained flatwoods to dry, rocky mountain ridges.
Reproduction	Monoecious; Strobili initiated during the growing season before the buds emerge; Pollination occurs in late winter or spring, but fertilization occurs the following spring; Cones reach maturity in their second year.
Seed Production	Best cone producers are dominant, open grown individuals with large crowns; on average sites longleaf can produce 2,500 cones per hectare every 4-5 years.
Seed Dispersal	Seeds dispersed by the wind, most falling within 20 m of the seed tree.
Seedling Development	Seeds quickly germinate after dispersed; seeds require contact with bare mineral soil for germination; Primary and secondary needles occur about 2 months after germination, however, stem development is delayed as longleaf pine seedlings are described as being in a 'grass stage.'
Vegetative Reproduction	If top killed, longleaf pine seedlings can sprout from the root collar.
Rooting Habit	Develop a massive taproot and extensive lateral root systems.
Competition	Intolerant of competition, whether for light, moisture, or nutrients.
Damaging Agents	Brown spot needle blight; pitch canker; relatively resistant to southern pine beetle; tolerant of fire