A comprehensive compilation of genetic and breeding information from more than 1,000 sources on the 10 southern pine species. Major topics include species descriptions, factors of flowering and seed production, methods of vegetative propagation, traits of interspecific hybrids, and geographic, racial, stand, and tree-to-tree variation. Practical and detailed information is provided on various techniques and problems associated with creative breeding and seed production.

In 1951, SFTIC began a pine seed-source study throughout the South. As part of this study, the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station established, between 1953 and 1958, a loblolly pine plantation in eastern Maryland and some shortleaf pine plantations in south-central Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. Each plantation contained seedlings from several geographic sources. This report describes the results obtained from measurements made between the 1967 and 1968 growing seasons in these plantations.