Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to be able to present this three year compendium of proceedings from the Forest Nursery Association of B.C. 15th, 16th, and 17th annual meetings. When the 1997 organizing committee decided to publish the 1997 proceedings we offered to include the previous years papers as they had not yet been published. Thus it is that this compendium includes the proceedings from the past three annual meetings.
The themes have varied over the years but they all deal with the nursery culture of our forest trees and they were organized to increase our understanding of the species we grow. The 1995 meeting focused on increasing our knowledge in the area of root and leaf physiology, the use of differential day/night temperatures, and the use of growth regulator. The 1996 meetings theme was "Looking Ahead…New Solutions for Changing Times." and took on the tough issues of effluent and waste management in the nursery. The 1997 meeting theme was "High Elevation Regeneration - Problems and Promises." specifically dealt with the regeneration efforts in the High Elevation Forest and how and what the nursery manager can do to help in the drive to achieve success in the regeneration of this important forest.
Along with past Presidents of the FNABC, I wish to express my thanks to all who contributed to this effort.
I would like to thank all our speakers and contributors to this compendium. Your efforts at sharing you findings and knowledge with us, keep us learning and growing in this industry.
My appreciation is also expressed to the commercial exhibitors / supporters for your excellent displays and support of our meetings that help so much in making the experience a enjoyable and productive time.
Lastly, my thanks goes out to the organizing committees. The hard work of so many volunteers makes these meetings possible and a success for all those attending and for those who can subsequently read these proceedings.
To you the reader, I hope these proceedings will be of benefit to you and that the information the authors have provided will increase your understanding of the plants we deal with and the environments they grow in.
Clare M. Kooistra
President for 1997
Forest Nursery Association of B.C.