Tree Improvement Cycle Creating a Better Tree Tree

Tree Improvement Cycle Creating a Better Tree

Tree Improvement • Application of knowledge to produce superior trees • Improvement can be made in: -Trees’ growth rate -Disease resistance -Stem, wood and/or fiber quality

Tree Selection • • Find “good” trees Collect their seeds or take cuttings Cross bred them Test the offspring Select the best of the offspring Repeat Easy?

What is a “good” tree? Crown: Narrow; Short vs. height of tree; healthy Branches: small diameter Stem: Straight; low taper; high volume vs. neighbors; disease and/or insect resistant; high quality wood

Selection • Select trees in natural stands based on physical characteristics; superior growth, form, reduce disease and/or insect damage.

Collect seeds or take grafts • To preserve the genetic material, seeds of the selected tree or twigs are collected to graft on to root stock.

Test Offspring • Testing involves growing seedlings of each parent and comparing them to other selected seedlings to determine the capability of the parents to pass on their genetic superiority.

Breeding • Breeders isolate young flowers of parent trees so that unwanted pollen can not contaminate the tree.

Seed Orchard • Select the best of the offspring to establish a seed orchard • Repeat the process

Time • It takes 6 -8 years before one receives useful results from testing • About 10 years after a seed orchard is establish it will produce seed for reforestation