Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, Canada

Seed orchards that produce genetically selected or improved seeds for forest adaptation and productivity are a fundamental element of successful tree improvement programs. A productive orchard maximizes the benefits of tree improvement initiatives by meeting regional seed demands for annual artifici...

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Main Authors: Kennedy L. Mitchell, Barb. R. Thomas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Canadian Institute of Forestry 2025-08-01
Series:The Forestry Chronicle
Subjects:
Online Access:https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/10.5558/tfc2024-019
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author Kennedy L. Mitchell
Barb. R. Thomas
author_facet Kennedy L. Mitchell
Barb. R. Thomas
author_sort Kennedy L. Mitchell
collection DOAJ
description Seed orchards that produce genetically selected or improved seeds for forest adaptation and productivity are a fundamental element of successful tree improvement programs. A productive orchard maximizes the benefits of tree improvement initiatives by meeting regional seed demands for annual artificial regeneration. To understand the current capacity, of six interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and eight white spruce (Picea glauca) orchards in Alberta to produce improved seed and meet reforestation needs, we reviewed the historical annual seed supply and demand. Based on reported annual seed production, we estimated the theoretical productive orchard area required to meet future seed demand. From this work, a tool was developed to visually represent the estimated orchard area required to meet seed production targets for each tree improvement program based on user-defined variables. We identified several under producing orchards, primarily for interior lodgepole pine. In the programs studied, additional productive orchard area will be required to meet seed demand targets and maximize the benefits of the tree improvement programs they serve.
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spelling doaj-art-0cb8cda1274943e0a10cf4e218cec92b2025-08-20T04:02:28ZengCanadian Institute of ForestryThe Forestry Chronicle0015-75461499-93152025-08-011011859210.5558/tfc2024-019Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, CanadaKennedy L. Mitchell0Barb. R. Thomas1Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E3, CanadaDepartment of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Earth Sciences Building, Edmonton AB, T6G 2E3, CanadaSeed orchards that produce genetically selected or improved seeds for forest adaptation and productivity are a fundamental element of successful tree improvement programs. A productive orchard maximizes the benefits of tree improvement initiatives by meeting regional seed demands for annual artificial regeneration. To understand the current capacity, of six interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and eight white spruce (Picea glauca) orchards in Alberta to produce improved seed and meet reforestation needs, we reviewed the historical annual seed supply and demand. Based on reported annual seed production, we estimated the theoretical productive orchard area required to meet future seed demand. From this work, a tool was developed to visually represent the estimated orchard area required to meet seed production targets for each tree improvement program based on user-defined variables. We identified several under producing orchards, primarily for interior lodgepole pine. In the programs studied, additional productive orchard area will be required to meet seed demand targets and maximize the benefits of the tree improvement programs they serve.https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/10.5558/tfc2024-019seed orchard managementimproved seed productionlodgepole pinetree improvementwhite sprucegestion des vergers à graines
spellingShingle Kennedy L. Mitchell
Barb. R. Thomas
Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, Canada
The Forestry Chronicle
seed orchard management
improved seed production
lodgepole pine
tree improvement
white spruce
gestion des vergers à graines
title Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, Canada
title_full Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, Canada
title_fullStr Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, Canada
title_full_unstemmed Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, Canada
title_short Interior lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) and white spruce (Picea glauca) orchard capacity and demand in Alberta, Canada
title_sort interior lodgepole pine pinus contorta var latifolia and white spruce picea glauca orchard capacity and demand in alberta canada
topic seed orchard management
improved seed production
lodgepole pine
tree improvement
white spruce
gestion des vergers à graines
url https://pubs.cif-ifc.org/doi/10.5558/tfc2024-019
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