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Tree improvement and research into genetic variability of coastal
Douglas-fir started in the late 1950s with studies on inbreeding and
wide crossing (between trees from distant populations) conducted by Dr.
Allan Orr-Ewing. Later on, traditional recurrent selection programs were
started from intensive plus-tree selection throughout low elevation
coastal B.C. The program expanded in 1968 with improvement programs
starting in interior spruce (Picea glauca and its hybrids) and currently
we have 50 breeding and improvement programs for different species and
seed planning zone combinations. Each has a business plan and objectives
which are evaluated annually by the Forest Genetics Council of B.C.
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Classical breeding approaches developed for domesticated plant and
animal species have been adapted to accommodate the unique biological
features of forest trees. The reproductive biology, geographic patterns
of genetic variation in each species,
maintaining adaptive genetic variation, and maintaining wild forest
reserves are all issues that add to the complexity of forest tree
improvement and genetic resource management. The links will provide an
overview of recent advances, and the current state of the improvement
programs in B.C.
Ministry contact: Alvin Yanchuk
Please direct questions regarding webpage to For.Prodres@gov.bc.ca
Updated June 2009 | 
