Predicting seedling development for two commercial forest species under current and future climates: A multi-model assessment

•Seedling development models are calibrated and assessed under experimental conditions.•Wang and Engel’s model was superior in predicting the seedling development.•Development models simulate the seedling duration under current and future climates.•Projected air temperature increases will modify the development rates of both species.•Changing the sowing date and the seedling production environment will be necessary.