Tree Improvement Branch

Seed Orchard Pest Management

Rationale

Without seed, there can be no seedlings, and without pest management expertise, seed crops are at risk to damage or destruction caused by pest insects and diseases. Such damage could result in short-term revenue losses due to pest activity in seed orchards, the collection of badly-infested natural stand cone crops, and longer-term repercussions for future fibre production.

Objectives

Perform activities such as:

  • Assess and improve the monitoring programs for seed and cone pests in the conifer seed orchards of British Columbia.
  • Determine the effect of conifer seed bugs on seed production.
  • Develop a management system for Douglas-fir cone gall midge.
  • Study the life history of the green spruce aphid.
  • Visit sites regularly to deal with crop monitoring, pest emergencies and other pest-based issues, develop extension material and to oversee trial initiation and monitoring.
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