Volunteer Seedling

(also self-seeded seedling), a young plant seeded automatically by parent plants. Volunteer seedlings are vital to natural reforestation. In clear-cuttings, volunteer seedlings may develop from the seeds of the trees of an old forest adjacent to the cleared area; volunteer seedlings may also grow from the seeds of special seed trees left standing. Groups of the seedlings appear in places with conditions most favorable for sprouting and for growth and preservation (protection from sunburn, frosts, and the competition of grasses). In some cases, the development of volunteer seedlings is impeded by various pests (larvae of scarabaeid beetles, weevils, and mole crickets) and diseases (pine blight).