Seed Production
Seed Production
Seed orchards produce high-quality genetically improved seed through the planning, administration
and management of seed orchards in a Crown land stewardship framework.
Seed Orchards
A seed orchard is a key element in a successful tree improvement program.
Our
seed orchards are advanced generation plantations of genetically superior trees,
intensively managed to produce frequent, abundant, and easily harvested seed
crops. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has been operating seed orchards
since 1963.
Benefits of using Select Seed from Seed Orchards
The Tree Improvement Process
Tree improvement is an on-going cycle of selection, breeding, and testing
to produce trees that are faster growing, have straighter stems, have better
wood quality, and / or are better able to resist insects and disease. In
British Columbia, the
Tree Improvement Branch
Forest Genetics
Section identifies and tests the parent
trees which are identified and collected from the natural forest which are
then turned over to the Tree Improvement Branch to develop the seed orchards
to produce the improved seed.
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