Viability equations for forest tree seeds

Viability equations based on 10 years of storage data for four forest tree species (Pinus taeda L., P. elliottii Engelm., Liquidambar styraiflua L,., and Platanus occidentalis L.) have been updated with 5 additional years of data. For the most part, the additional 5 years did not improve the equations for these species. Viability equations based on 5 years of storage are reported for green ash (Fraximus pennsylvanica L.) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.); results were similar to those of the first four and to equations published elsewhere for other forest tree species. There was no strong relationship between lipid content of embryo and storage tissues and the moisture coefficients (C-W) of these species as suggested by other workers. Work of this nature with tree seeds, or with any species collected from wild populations, will always be difficult because of variable stages of maturity at collection, large numbers of empty seeds, and variable degrees of dormancy.