Objectives:

• To provide a basis for comparison of the genetic qualities of selected trees through the performance of their progenies.
• To provide data for the calculation of general combining ability of selected trees.
• To provide information for heritability values of selected important characteristics such as height and diameter growth, resistance to pests, branching traits, form, etc.
• To provide estimates of population parameters.
• To provide information for the development of empirical multivariate formulae for the estimation of subsequent performance of family lines based on early tests.

Experimental Design:

Treatments:

From the East Kootenay Selection Unit, 110 open pollinated families are being tested in a randomized block design. They were grown at the Red Rock nursery and planted as 2+1 transplants.

Layout:

• Each site contains 2-3 blocks.
• A row of 10 seedlings represents a family randomized within each block.
• The first seedling of each block is marked with a wooden stake bearing a metal tag identifying the block and the family.
• Each additional seedling is marked with a white vinyl flag on a steel wire.

History:

• 1975 plantation establishment and initial height measurements
• 1977 3-year height measurements and maintenance
• 1980 6-year height measurements and maintenance
• 1984 10-year height measurements and maintenance
• 1989 15-year height and diameter at breast height measurements and maintenance
• 1994 20-year height and diameter at breast height measurements.
• 1997 Bloom Creek plantation brushed and pruned
• 2000 Harvey Creek location pruned for access

Reports And Publications:

Xie, C.-Y., A. D. Yanchuk, and G. Kiss. 1998.  Genetics of interior spruce in British Columbia: performance and variability of open-pollinated families in the East Kootenays. B.C. Min. For. Res. Br. Research Report 7.

Comments:

Due to problems with the Cranbrook portable refrigeration units at the time of planting in 1975 and the subsequent hot and dry summer, the survival on some sites was very poor. Due to poor survival, some of the sites (noted as "dormant" above) have not been measured since age 6 years.