Cone Serotiny - Fire Relationships in Lodgepole Pine

James E. Lotan

Document Type

Contribution to Book

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Tall Timbers Fire Ecology Conference Proceedings

Publication Date

1976

First Page

267

Last Page

278

Abstract

Throughout much of its range, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl.) produces serotinous cones. Because of a resinous bond between the cone scales, serotinous cones do not open at maturity. When subjected to temperatures of 45 to 50 degrees C. (or even higher), the bond breaks, the cones are free to open, and stored seed is released. Wildfires cause cones to open and cones on or near the ground are opened by normal summer soil surface temperatures (Crossley, 1956; Lotan, 1964).

Comments

This item was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.

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