Tree Improvement Branch

Cone and Seed Fee Schedule-April 1, 2011  (pdf)
Notice to Stakeholders (pdf)
Rationale for Fee Schedule Amendment  (pdf)
Previous Cone and Seed Fee Schedule  (pdf)

Domestic surplus seed prices

The following prices apply to the sale of ministry seed purchased on an individual sowing request basis.

1. Seed orchard seed

2. Natural stand seed

*The schedule prices remain unchanged; however, the price of wild stand seedlots collected after 2003 will be based on the cost of procuring the seedlot, as costs can vary considerably based on the collection area, method (e.g. ground vs. helicopter) and seed quality.  This is in keeping with section 4 of this schedule. 

3. Germination price adjustment

If the percent germination of a seedlot is the same or higher than the average listed in the tables, there is no adjustment to the price.

If the percent germination of a seedlot is lower than the average in the tables, the following adjustment formula will apply.

4. Price variations

The ministry may set different prices for seed if:

Cone and seed service fees

This schedule contains fees for the following services offered at the ministry’s Tree Seed Centre:

1. Cone and Seed Processing
2. Seed Testing
3. Seed Preparation
4. Seed Withdrawal and Transport
5. Other Services

This fee schedule does not apply to services rendered in registering and storing seed in accordance with the prescribed requirements under the Forest and Range Practices Act and Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act - including associated seed testing, withdrawal, and transport.

For information about all Tree Seed Centre services, please contact the manager at (604) 541-1683, extension 2224 or visit http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hti/treeseedcentre/index.htm

1. Cone and seed processing

1.1 Basic processing fees

Basic seedlot charges are divided equally among owners.

1.2 Processing fees by species

In addition to the Basic Processing Fees, the following fees apply:

Multi-agency seedlot charges are apportioned by volume owned.

Services provided for the above fees include:

Where clients request that a seedlots processing be fast tracked so that it is immediately available (e.g.) crown land reforestation, an additional fee of $150 per lot will be applied.

1.4. Additional Handling Fees

Where atypical effort is required to receive and/or process seedlots, a fee of $50 for each hour of additional handling will be applied (e.g.) unorganized and/or unpalletized cone shipments; seedlots containing excessive amounts of debris and mould.

2.  Seed testing

If clients wish to request additional or family lot testing, the following per test charges apply. The Tree Seed Centre offers these services using International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) standards and protocols.

2.1 Germination tests

* Preferred test type will be selected for germination tests.

2.2 Other tests

2.3  Sampling

A sampling fee of $11 will be added when one or more tests are requested against a seedlot.

3. Seed preparation

3.1 Seed stratification

*True firs, white pine, yellow cedar and requests for more than 6 weeks stratification duration.

Stratification services provided for above fees include:

3.2 Seed pelleting

Seed pellet services are provided on contract and the Tree Seed Centre facilitates this process and tests and inspects the final product.   Fees for pelleting species other than Western red cedar will be based on contractor rates.  Fees for western red cedar pelleting are as follows:

·         $100 per request plus $0.25 per gram to be pelleted up to a request weight of 740 grams.  For requests where the pre-pellet weight is greater than 740 grams, a flat rate of $285 per request will apply.  Fees for pelleting services for Alder and other species will be based on contractor’s rates.

4. Seed withdrawal and transport

Seed withdrawal and transport services are provided at the following charges:

Services provided for these fees includes withdrawal, packaging and labelling of seed in a secure carton containing a freezer pack, weigh bill, and couriered by overnight delivery (standard government carrier).

There continues to be no charge for withdrawal and shipping of requests for crown land reforestation, education and research.

* New - minimum charge per individual shipment is $10.  Clients should advise the TSC directly if other than standard shipping methods are preferred and if so, shipments will be forwarded "collect".

5. Other services

Fees for other services are:

Notes:

For further information please contact the Tree Seed Centre at (604) 541-1683, extension 2224.