There are several reasons to process seedlots on a priority basis. The TSC processes collections of western redcedar and western hemlock on a priority basis because of the low seed dormancy of these species. Clients may request that seedlots be processed on a priority basis if the seedlot must be immediately available for seedling production, or if there are concerns with pre-germination or insect activity. For some seedlots (e.g. Abies spp.) we may not process the seedlot as a priority, if we believe that seed quality will be compromised.

Please advise the TSC in writing by early fall of all seedlots to be processed as a priority, even if seedlots are processed at a private facility. A priority request means that cone and seed processing, testing, registration, storage, withdrawal, preparation for use and transport are all priority activities. The written request must include the reason for the priority status and, if for seedling production, the approximate sowing date. This will help ensure we meet your request needs.

If a priority request for a seedlot to be used is received before germination testing is complete, a species average (SA) or species estimate (SE) germination is used to calculate potential seedlings and grams required. Please see the Species Averages Table for more information about average germinations by species. An SE germination is used when clients have prior information about a seedlot or historic information about the germination of seedlots from a specific orchard.

Every effort will be made to expedite your request; however, there are minimum time requirements to extract, process, test and prepare (stratify or pellet) seed for sowing. Please see the Guide to Operational Time Requirements for a listing of time requirements by activity and species. For further details or information about priority processing and time requirements please contact the Tree Seed Centre.