The hypothesis that gene flow northwards by long distance wind dispers
al of pollen is a contributing factor in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris
L.) seed crops in northern Scandinavia (Umea) was examined. Pollen was
observed in the air before local pollen shedding began. This pollen h
as been shown to germinate and is likely to be viable. This early poll
en was probably not of local origin. Wind patterns and the geographic
pattern of pollen shedding were such that it is likely that the origin
of the early pollen was hundreds of km to the south. Since many of th
e female strobili are receptive to pollination before local pollen she
dding occurred, early non-local pollen has an advantage over later loc
al pollen. Thus, the gene flow caused by pollen migration is likely to
be large enough to be of evolutionary significance.