Tree Improvement Branch


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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