Life History and Disturbance Response of Pinus serotina (Pond Pine)
Family: Pinaceae
Guild: pioneer, wet-site, shade intolerant
Functional Lifeform: medium evergreen conifer
Ecological Role: Pond pines grows best on sites with a high water table. It can be found growing on low wet flatlands or in sandy or peat swamps or bogs. It is the only major tree component of pocosins, flat poorly drained evergreen bogs with organic soils.
Lifespan, yrs (typical/max): intolerant
Height, m: 15-30m
Canopy Tree: yes
Pollination Agent: wind
Seeding, yrs (begins/optimal/declines): 10/30/?
Mast Frequency, yrs: 1 yr
New Cohorts Source: seeds or sprouts
Flowering Dates: spring
Flowers/Cones Damaged by Frost: variable
Seed Banking: up to 10 years in cones
Cold Stratification Required: yes
Seed Type/Dispersal Distance/Agent: winged/<100m/wind
Season of Germination: variable
Seedling Rooting System: unknown
Sprouting: from stumps, branches or dormant buds
Establishment Seedbed Preferences:
Substrate: variable
Light: open conditions
Moisture: moist required
Temperature: neutral
Disturbance Response:
Fire: Pond pine is well adapted to fire. It resprouts quickly from the stump, stem and from dormant buds following fire so that only the most severe fire will kill it. It has serotinous cones that open following fire. Seedlings grow best when they do not have to compete with weeds grasses and woody vegetation which is often eliminated during fire.
Weather:
Air Pollution:
Exotics: