Publication Date:
1975-09-01
Description:
The species, quantities, and germination of tree seed stored in the forest floor beneath five northern hardwood stands in Pennsylvania were determined by counting seed found in blocks of forest floor material and running germination tests on them, by burying seed in soil organic layers and observing germination and storage, and by sowing seed on natural seedbeds and observing germination over several years. Quantities of seed in excess of 1 million per acre (2.5 million per hectare) were found to be common, the number of seed of a particular species depending on the number of seed-bearing trees of that species in the overstory and on the length of time seed of that species will remain viable in the forest floor. Sugar maple, eastern hemlock, and American beech normally germinate the year after seed dispersal and do not remain viable in the forest floor. Black cherry, white ash, yellow poplar, red maple, and birch normally germinate over a period of several years after dispersal; and storage in the forest floor for 2 to 5 years is common. Pin cherry seed remain viable in the forest floor for long periods, and large quantities of seed may still be present 30 years or more after pin cherry trees have died out of the overstory.
Print ISSN:
0045-5067
Electronic ISSN:
1208-6037
Topics:
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
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