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Home → Publications → Tree Improvement and Genetics → Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference → 30th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference (2009) → Height-Age Relationships in a Loblolly Pine Varietal Screening Trial: Implications for Stand Yields

Height-Age Relationships in a Loblolly Pine Varietal Screening Trial: Implications for Stand Yields

Loblolly pine clonal forestry has progressed substantially in the Southern United States. Over 10 million somatic embryogenesis seedlings have been planted in the last six years (McKeand et al. 2007). Studies using early age data have shown that the best clones have the potential to produce up to 35% more volume than second generation open pollinated (OP) seed orchard material (Isik et al. 20005, Fox et al. 2007). Concerns on how good the estimates of gain based on early data reflect the gains at rotation age and of the high cost of clonal seedlings are still an issue that may slow down the adoption of this potentially profitable form of forestry. In this report, we modeled the 15-year height growth of 96 clones growing in a varietal screening trial and used the model to extrapolate the growth to age 25. We then used the predicted height at age 25 (site index) in a growth and yield model to predict yields and financial gains that may be obtained from clonal plantations.


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Author(s): C. O. Sabatia, Harold E. Burkhart, Phillip M. Dougherty

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 2009