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Operational time requirements

The following are general guidelines for field conditioning, TSC conditioning, cone and seed processing, testing and preparation for sowing. 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. Please see the priority processing section for further details. These timelines are average requirements, but we are constantly faced with meeting the unique timelines of our clients. If you have questions or concerns with meeting some of these timelines, please contact us and we will try and arrive at an agreeable solution. The earlier we are notified of potential problems, the more options we have to help you.

Guide to Tree Seed Centre operational time requirements

Estimated Time under Average Crop Conditions (in weeks) Sowing pretreatment**
Common name Species Code Field conditioning (prior to shipping*) Tree Seed Centre conditioning Extraction and processing Registration and storage Testing Soak (hrs) Method Time (wks)
Western redcedar Cw 0-1 1 2  1 3 0 pellet coated 4
Western hemlock Hw 0-1 1 2 1 8 24 chilling at 2>-5°C 4
Western larch Lw 4 4 3 1 6 24 chilling at 2>-5°C 3
Douglas-fir Fdc/Fdi 4 4 3 1 6 24 chilling at 2>-5°C 3
Spruce species Sxs/Ss 4 4 4 1 6 24 chilling at 2>-5°C 3
Lodgepole pine Plc/Pli 0 0 3 1 7 24 chilling at 2>-5°C 4
Mountain hemlock Hm 4 4 2 1 8 24 chilling at 2>-5°C 4
Ponderosa pine Py 2-4 4 3 1 7 24 chilling at 2>-5°C 4
Western white pine Pw 4 4 3 1 20 336 14 wks at 2>-5°C 16
Yellow cedar Cy 4 4 2 1 16 72 4 wks at 20°C + 8 wks at 2>-5°C 12
Grand fir Bg 4 12 4 1 8 48 chilling at 2>-5°C 4
Pacific silver fir Ba 4 12 4 1 16 48 strat/redry 4 + 8 wks 12
Sub-alpine fir Bl 4 12 4 1 16 48 strat/redry 4 + 8 wks 12
Noble fir Bp 4 12 4 1 16 48 strat/redry 4 + 8 wks 12

* Transport Notice: Contact the Tree Seed Centre, Surrey at 604-541-1683 extension 227 to arrange a date for cones and/or seed to arrive. This date will vary depending upon crop year, available storage space at the TSC and the condition of your cones. We will make all efforts to expedite your shipment, but please make all efforts to notify us in a timely manner - the earlier the better.
** Pretreatment requirements may vary by seedlot. Times stated here are maximum requirements. Time to withdraw will range from 5 to 10 days, depending on seasonal demands.

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