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Home → Publications → Tree Improvement and Genetics → Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference → 13th Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference (1975) → Cone And Seed Insects--southern Pine Beetle: A Contrasting Impact On Forest Productivity

Cone And Seed Insects--southern Pine Beetle: A Contrasting Impact On Forest Productivity

As seed orchard production in the South increases, a commensurate recognition of seed losses due to insect attack has developed. It is now evident that value losses resulting from cone and seed insects can be compared with the destruction caused by the southern pine beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimm.). While the value losses are comparable, the impact of cone and seed insects on intensive forest management efforts is nearly invisible to all but the tree improvement practitioner. This situation presents a particularly difficult challenge to the researcher as he strives to obtain resources and support to develop control systems which appear attainable with an intensive research and development program of rather finite scope and duration. A similar conclusion is not readily apparent for the research efforts directed toward control of the southern pine beetle. The forestry enterprise is constantly confronted with this dilemma of having to allocate limited resources to investment in production for the long term while simultaneously responding to short-term pressures for these resources which can be spectacular as exemplified by the southern pine beetle attacks.


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Author(s): Robert J. Weir

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1975