The present paper deals with the results of a comprehensive experiment on seed; lings of masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) which is the most important timber species in Fujian Province. In order to study and exploit its natural genetic resource, some selected samples from different provenances (within its natural range), stands (in Fujian Province) and families (in a stand covering 75 mu) were compared so that the most economical breeding program could be found out. The results indicated that for all the measured phenological and morphological characteristics, provenance resu^ Ited in the highest degree of variation. Selecting suitable southern provenance plants for reproduction would obtain greater increment in the seedling stage. But they are by nature some populations in response to continuous ecological factors. Variations of plants among different stands showed a random pattern which indicated that the desirable stand would be within a short distance. As compared with plants from different stands, plants from different half-sib families could give greater variations in height growth, though their ecological characteristics were rather consistent. This suggests that when stands are to be selected, plus trees should also be simultaneously selected in order to establish clone seed orchards after progeny testing. Greater increment would be obtained from selections between half-sib families in addition to selections between different stands than from the latter alone. Variations among plants from stands at different elevation could provide more benefit than from among populations in the vicinity,