This guidebook has been prepared to help forestry practitioners meet the requirements of the Forest Practices Code with respect to planning, collecting, registering and using seed and vegetative material.

The guide is relevant to all forestry operations that use planting or direct seeding as a method of reforestation. The procedures, processes and options described are arranged in the same order as the business of reforestation—from planning to planting. Wherever possible, references to additional information have been made to keep this document as short and concise as possible. All references are listed in Appendix 1.

Wherever the term “seed” is used in this guide, the term “vegetative material” may also be applied, except in sections where the terms are discussed separately. The terms “seed” and “vegetative material” also apply to seedlings or propagules produced from them.

Examples of forms mentioned in this guide and addresses where they may be obtained are provided in Appendix 2.

For further information on the subjects addressed in this guide, please refer to the references listed in Appendix 1. Or contact your nearest Forest Service region or district office, or the following people:

Seed Policy Officer (Victoria)	(250-356-6207)
Tree Seed Centre (Surrey)	(604-541-1683)
Manager, Seed Production (Saanich)	(250-652-5600)
SPAR Project Manager (Victoria)	(250-387-8945)
Research Branch, Forest Biology (Victoria)	(250-387-6721)
Kalamalka Forestry Centre (Vernon)	(250-549-5577)
Cowichan Lake Research Station	(250-749-6811)

The wording of the Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Material Regulation and the Silviculture Practices Regulations listed in this guide was the latest draft version available at publication. It may have changed slightly. Consult the final approved regulations for exact wording.

The regulation of seed and vegetative material collection, registration and use is governed by two acts (the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act and the Forest Act) and their respective regulations. Regulations governing the collection, registration, processing and disposition of seed and vegetative material are in the Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Material Regulation, attached to the Forest Act. Regulations governing the use of seed and vegetative material are in the Silviculture Practices Regulation, attached to the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act. Part 2, Division 1, Reforestation Method in the Silviculture Practices Regulation actually cross-references the Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Material Regulation.

The following summarizes the references and authority related to the subjects in this guidebook.

Forest Act

According to section 158(2), regulations may be made with respect to:

(k) collection, drying, processing, registration, transportation, purchase, sale, disposition and standards of tree cones and tree seeds
(r) seed orchards, tree breeding and associated scientific research, including authority for the chief forester, on behalf of the Crown, to enter into agreements respecting them
(s) the fees to be charged for orchard seed sold by the Crown for the purposes of reforestation

Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Material Regulation

Collections

– issue and requirements of a permit

Registration
– duties of ministry, and applications for registration

Processing
– requirement for dealer’s licence and collection report

– approval for removal of cone or seeds from province for processing

Disposition
– issue and requirements and privileges of the Seed and Vegetative Material Dealer’s Licence


Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act (Bill 40)

Section 70 – Silviculture prescriptions
70(4)(c) – use seed and vegetative material in accordance with the regulations and standards
Part 6 – compliance and enforcement.

Silviculture Practices Regulation

Part 2, Division 1, Reforestation Method


– use of seed or vegetative material
– use of best genetic quality material
– seed storage
– record keeping
– use of resistant materials
– transfer of seed and vegetative material.

Part 3, Division 2, Reports


– record keeping
– reporting.

For clarification, the key terms used throughout this guide are defined below. Additional definitions may be found in the interpretation sections of the above-described regulations or in this guide.

seedlot: a quantity of cones or seeds having uniformity of species, source, quality and year of collection.

source: the geographic source of cones, seeds and vegetative material, including the latitude, longitude and elevation of the source, or the name and licence number of the seed orchard or cutting orchard.

vegetative lot: a quantity of vegetative material or vegetative propagules having a uniformity of species, source and year of collection. vegetative material: plant parts or tissues used to produce propagules through asexual means.

vegetative propagule: a plant that has been produced through asexual means.

No reforestation program can operate efficiently without a continuing and adequate supply of high-quality tree seed of the required species. Lack of seed volume and variety severely restricts the flexibility important to reforestation planning. On the other hand, a large collection from an area where there is no demonstrated need is wasteful.

Planning seed requirements should be done before harvesting operations. A seed needs analysis should be conducted for all species, elevations bands and seed planning zones within an operating area. A 5- to 10-year seed supply is recommended for all species and areas for which no seed orchards are established. If a producing seed orchard exists, such long-term planning is not as essential, as orchards produce crops more frequently than natural stands.

Planning and doing cone collections should be well timed, organized and supervised to ensure success. Seed quality is as important as quantity. Seed with low germination or growth potential wastes nursery space. Planning and forecasting are difficult when the resulting number of seedlings is unpredictable.

Use the Transfer Guidelines (page 21), the B.C. Seed Orchard Directory, the Guide to Collecting Cones of B.C. Conifers and the Seed Planning and Registry System (SPAR) to determine seed needs and supply.

Seed planning zones of B.C.

The province is divided into 24 seed planning zones (SPZ) for controlling seed and vegetative material transfer. These geographic zones are based largely on seed source testing and regional biogeoclimatic features. SPZs were originally identified to ensure that reforestation stock was planted in the same general area in which seed was collected. These zones are now also used for seed planning and for the development of breeding programs and seed orchards. For more information on B.C.’s SPZs, refer to chapter 14 of Regenerating British Columbia’s Forests (1990).

Appendix 3 shows the locations of the SPZ boundaries. The delineations among the coastal SPZs are defined by the biogeoclimatic subzones and variants described in Appendix 4. Interior SPZ boundaries are identified on 1:600 000 UTM maps (consolidated September 1986). It is recommended that all forestry practitioners obtain detailed SPZ maps for their operating areas. These are available through the nearest regional or district office or from the seed planning forester.

Sources of seed and vegetative material

Tree seed is potentially available from natural stands, plantations or seed orchards. The periodicity of natural stand cone crops, and the difficulties of cone and seed development at high elevations and of some species, does not permit annual collections. Seed orchard cone crops are generally more predictable and of higher quality, owing to the intensity of management.

Vegetative material can be obtained from natural stands, hedges, stoolbeds or seedlings, and used to produce whips, cuttings or stecklings. Vegetative propagules may also be derived from tissue or seed.

Consider all available sources of seed and vegetative material, and the requirements of the Code, before undertaking collections or making purchases. All seed registered with the ministry is listed on the Seed Planning and Registry System (SPAR). Contact the nearest region or district office or the SPAR Project Manager (250-387-8945) for information on how to access SPAR.

Natural stands or plantations

Seed or vegetative material originating from natural stands or plantations is registered as “B” genetic class seed. Seed originating from provenances identified by the ministry as having exceptional growth performance, adaptability or pest resistance may be registered as superior provenance or “B+” genetic class seed. To qualify as superior provenance (B+) seed, the seed must originate from one of the locations listed on pages 9–11. To be eligible for registration and use for Crown land reforestation, all collections from natural stands must be carried out in accordance with the Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Propagules Regulation (see page 12).

For a listing of all registered B class seedlots, refer to SPAR or its reports.

Seed orchards

Seed orchards produce seed of improved genetic quality for specific seed planning zones and for elevation and latitudinal bands within those zones. Seed from a seed orchard is given the genetic class “A”. Only seed derived from licensed orchards can be registered and used on Crown land (see page 12).

A current inventory of seed orchard seed is available on SPAR or its reports. Seed production officers also annually circulate projected and actual production figures for the licensed orchards. These reports are available from the seed production officers or the regional and district offices. For a list of seed orchards, their areas of coverage and target production, refer to the B.C. Seed Orchard Directory.

Vegetative material production facilities

Propagules derived from vegetative material production facilities may be registered as genetic class “A” if there has been any genetic improvement, or as “B” if not. All vegetative lots are to be registered with the ministry before being used for Crown land reforestation. Procedures for registering vegetative material should be in place by fall 1995.

Most vegetative propagules used in B.C.’s reforestation program are from hedges and stoolbeds for species with a limited supply of quality seed (e.g., yellow-cedar) or for which vegetative propagation is preferred (e.g., hybrid and native cottonwoods). Propagules derived from tissue culture or somatic embryogenesis are used only for trials at this time.

A list of suppliers of vegetative material may be obtained by contacting the seed planning forester, seed production officer or nursery officer. A list of available vegetative material for propagation will be provided on SPAR in the future.

70(4)(c)

Authority:

70(4) Without limiting subsection (2) to (3.2), the person who is required to establish the free growing stand under the prescription must meet all of the following requirements:

(c) use seed and vegetative material only in accordance with the regulations and standards

Silviculture Practices Regulation, Part 2, Division 1

• A person who is required to establish a free growing stand in accordance with a prescription that specifies planting, must

– use only seedlots or vegetative lots collected and registered in accordance with the Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Material Regulation

Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Material Regulation

2(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person must not collect cones, seeds or vegetative material from Crown land unless in possession of a cone and vegetative material collection permit issued by the district manager, or person authorized by the district manager.

2(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to

– employees or agents of the government.

Cone and Vegetative Material Collection Permits (FS 504) are issued by the district manager or other authorized person. The permit restricts picking to a limited time and specific area. The conditions under which the collection may be carried out are outlined on the form, and the permittee’s signature is required as acknowledgment of those conditions. These permits are not required by employees or agents of the Crown.

Cone collection reports

Information pertaining to collections must be recorded on a Natural Stand Cone Collection Report (FS 721) or a Seed Orchard Cone Collection Report (721A). The seedlot number for the collection is provided on the top of the form. This number must not be altered. These report forms are also used to register seed with the ministry. All mandatory fields on the report forms must be completed to ensure the registration process begins.

Collections to be processed at the ministry’s Tree Seed Centre must meet the standards in the ministry’s Cone and Seed Policy (Resource Management Policy Manual, 2.2). See the following sections on Registration and Storage in this guide for more information (pages 12–15), and samples of the reports in Appendix 2.

Cone collection guidelines

To qualify as a suitable seedlot for registration, a natural stand cone collection should be from no fewer that 10 trees, unless otherwise approved by the ministry.

A single seedlot should be collected within an elevation band no larger than one-half the elevation range permitted by the transfer guidelines for the species (refer to Tables 4 and 5, pages 24–25).

For details on collection methods and procedures, refer to the following publications: A Guide to Collecting Cones of British Columbia Conifers, A Guide to Aerial Cone Collection Equipment and Techniques in British Columbia, and the Silviculture Manual.

Superior provenances

To qualify as a superior provenance, the seedlot must originate from the superior provenance locations identified below. Other qualifications for registering superior provenance seed are the same as for natural stand seed, noted above.

Lodgepole pine superior provenances

To qualify as a lodgepole pine superior provenance, the seedlot must originate from a natural stand within an 8 km radius and between 50 m above and 100 m below one of the origins in Table 1.

Table 1. Origins for lodgepole pine superior provenances

Interior spruce superior provenances

To qualify as an interior spruce superior provenance, the seedlot must originate from a natural stand within a 15 km radius and between 100 m above and 100 m below one of the origins in Table 2. An exception is the Birch Island superior provenance, which must be collected on the floodplain along the North Thompson River from Kamloops north to Blue River.

Table 2. Origins for interior spruce superior provenances

Sitka spruce superior provenances

To qualify as a Sitka spruce (weevil tolerant) superior provenance, the seedlot must originate from a natural stand within a 15 km radius and between 100 m above and 100 m below one of the origins given in Table 3.

Table 3. Origins for Sitka spruce superior provenances

Seed orchard seed

Only collections from orchards licensed with the ministry are eligible for registration and use on Crown land. Seed orchard management must be in accordance with the management working plan, which is submitted to the seed production officer upon application for licensing. Licensed seed orchard owners must provide data, acceptable to the ministry, which supports the genetic rating of seed. Procedures for collecting data for coastal seed orchard collections are outlined in the 1994 Seedlot Rating System, available from the coastal seed production officer. Contact the coastal or interior seed production officer or refer to the Seed Orchards Policy (Resource Management Policy Manual, 2.1) for more information.

Vegetative material

The principles of collecting cones and seed also shall apply to collecting vegetative material, until formal procedures are developed.

70(4)(c)

Authority:

70(4)(c) See page 8.

Silviculture Practices Regulation

• See the criterion under Silviculture Practices Regulation, page 8.

Tree Cone, Seed and Vegetative Material Regulation

3(2) A person seeking to have a seedlot registered must submit to the tree seed centre of the ministry

(a) the seedlot, and
(b) a completed natural stand (and plantation) cone collection report in Form 2 or a seed orchard cone collection report in Form 3.

3(3) A person seeking to have a vegetative lot registered with the ministry must submit an application about the lot to the ministry which includes all the following information:

(a) species;
(b) quantity;
(c) source;
(d) year of collection;
(e) any other information requested by the ministry.

3(4) Without limiting subsections (2) and (3), if required by the district manager or person authorized by the district manager, the person seeking to register a seedlot or vegetative lot collected from Crown land must submit a copy of the cone and vegetative material collection permit issued under section 2.

Registration begins with the receipt of cones or seed at the Tree Seed Centre. A copy of the collection report (FS 721 or FS 721A) must accompany each seedlot. A copy of the collection report should also precede the shipment of cones, if possible. To ensure seedlot identification, upon arrival each cone sack must have a seedlot number tag both inside and out. These are free of charge at any district office. The FS 721 and FS 721A forms are preprinted with the seedlot number. This number must not be altered. You must indicate on the collection report form if the seedlot is for registration or not.

Seed from a cooperative, multiple-agency collection may be registered as one seedlot, with several agencies owning portions of the seedlot. Seed may also be registered as reserved (available for exclusive use of the owner) and/or as surplus (available for trade or sale to other agencies). Refer to FS 721 and FS 721A forms in Appendix 2 for more information.

Species codes used for registration must be consistent with the Ministry of Forests Policy Manual. However, codes for spruce seedlots collected in British Columbia are limited to the following:

• Ss (Sitka spruce)
• Sx (interior spruce).
• Sxs (Sitka ´ interior spruce)
• Sb (black spruce)

Interior spruce consists of Engelmann, white and their hybrids.

Registered seedlots may be combined to create a single new registered seedlot, with the approval of the district manager, or in the case of seed orchard seedlots, the seed production officer.

Non-ministry-funded collections must also be accompanied by a Cone-Seed Services form (FS 722) indicating the services requested (i.e., extraction, processing and testing). These services are provided to non-ministry clients for a fee as in the current fee schedule, available from the Tree Seed Centre. Registration and storage is offered free of charge to all agencies with silviculture obligations. Refer to the Guide to Cone and Seed Services or contact the Tree Seed Centre for information on services offered at the Tree Seed Centre.

A Cone Collection Cost Report (FS 736) must be completed for all ministry-funded collections by district and regional staff, a copy of which must be forwarded to the Silviculture Practices Branch. This information is used to determine the ministry’s surplus seed price schedule (see Appendix 2 for a sample of the form).

The ministry, as a condition of registration, may also require evidence that a Cone and Vegetative Material Collection Permit (FS 504) was obtained for the collection. Individuals applying for registration will receive notification of registration, and non-ministry clients will be invoiced accordingly. Registration procedures will soon be automated on SPAR, permitting on-line data entry and requests for services.

Cone and seed quality standards

Only seed that the ministry deems suitable for successfully establishing a free growing crop will be eligible for registration and inclusion in SPAR. Suitability is determined by the district manager, in consultation with the director, Silviculture Practices Branch.

Cones delivered to the Tree Seed Centre should not contain, by volume, more than 5% (or 10% for western redcedar, western hemlock and yellow-cedar):

• empty cones
  
• old cones
  
• cones of other species
  
• cones badly infected with insects or disease
  
• other unacceptable non-cone material or debris.

Seeds processed at the Tree Seed Centre should not have less than 97% purity or a moisture content below 4.0% or above 9.9%. Additional requirements are specified on the backs of the collection report forms (see Appendix 2).

If the above standards for cones and seed are not met, but the additional effort required to bring it up to standards is reasonable, the Tree Seed Centre may still accept the material. An additional fee may apply for this service. If, at the ministry’s sole discretion, unreasonable efforts are required, the ministry has the right to refuse delivery of cones or seed.

Vegetative material

Procedures for registering and using vegetative material should be in place by fall 1995.

70(4)(c)

Authority:

70(4)(c) See page 8.

Silviculture Practices Regulation, Part 2, Division 1

• A person who is required to establish a free growing stand in accordance with a prescription that specifies planting, must
  – store seeds required by a prescription with the ministry

All seed must be registered and stored by the ministry at the Tree Seed Centre if it is to be used to reforest Crown land.

Non-ministry cones and seed may be processed at other private facilities. However, the seed must be forwarded to the Tree Seed Centre for registration, testing and long-term storage prior to sowing for Crown land reforestation.

The services provided by the Tree Seed Centre are made available to all persons required to establish a free growing stand under a prescription. These services are offered to non-ministry clients on a fee basis as in the current fee schedule. Contact the Tree Seed Centre for a complete list of services offered and the current fee schedule (or refer to the Guide to Cone and Seed Services).

Cones and seed to be processed or stored at the Tree Seed Centre must meet certain quality standards as outlined in the ministry’s cone and seed policy (see previous section). Seed not eligible for registration, at the discretion of the ministry, may be stored at the Tree Seed Centre and assigned unregistered status.

All cones and seeds received by the Tree Seed Centre must be accompanied by a Cone Collection Report Form (FS 721 or FS 721A) and, in the case of non-ministry funded collections, a Cone-Seed Services Form (FS 722). Contact the Tree Seed Centre to arrange shipment dates and times. These procedures soon will be automated on SPAR, permitting on-line data entry and requests for services.

70(4)(c)

Authority:

70(4)(c) See page 8.

Silviculture Practices Regulation, Part 2, Division 1

• A person who is required to establish a free growing stand in accordance with a prescription that specifies planting, must
  – see first criteria, stated in full, under Silviculture Practices Regulation, page 8
  – unless otherwise authorized by the district manager, use the best genetic quality source available

• Without limiting [a previous] subsection, if the person knows or should know of forest health concerns that affect the health of the species of trees that are required by the prescription, the person must use only naturally or genetically improved resistant seed sources, seedlings or vegetative propagules if they are available.

Only registered lots may be used for Crown land reforestation. All registered seedlots are listed on SPAR. Requests for seedlings may be made against registered seed by its respective owner. Seed listed on SPAR as surplus is available to other agencies, once purchased from the respective owner. Transfer of seed from one agency to another is completed by the Tree Seed Centre upon receipt of a Seed Sale and Withdrawal form (FS 723 in Appendix 2)

. To submit a seedling request, you may obtain direct access to SPAR and complete it yourself, or submit your request to the district office for processing. Contact the nearest region or district office or the SPAR project manager for information about access to SPAR. A Seedling Request Code Sheet (FS 332) must be completed for all seedling requests submitted through the district office (see Appendix 2 for a sample of the form).

Requests for vegetative propagules are handled manually, by directly contacting production facilities, stock coordinators or a nursery services officer. Procedures are being developed to permit handling these requests through SPAR.

When requesting seedlings or propagules, ensure that other requirements of the legislation (e.g., seed transfer guidelines) are adhered to, as outlined throughout this guide.

Use of the best genetic quality material

Use seed or vegetative material of the best genetic quality, when and where available.

When selecting seed of the best genetic quality, check suitable seedlots for the intended planting site, as listed on SPAR. Select available seedlots in the following order:

1. Select seed orchard (A class) lots over natural stand (B class) lots.
2. Select superior provenance (B+) lots over natural stand (B) lots.
3. Select lots with the highest genetic worth (i.e., G+10 over G+03).
4. Superior provenance (B+) lots may be selected over seed orchard (A) lots if they have a higher genetic worth.

Available seed is defined as all seed owned by the requester plus all other surplus seed available. District staff are to recommend more appropriate seedlots when requests are submitted through the district office by those with no access to SPAR or knowledge of other available seedlots.

Two parameters identify the genetic quality of a seed: genetic class and genetic worth.

Genetic class

Genetic class indicates the source of the seed or vegetative material. “A” class seed originates from a seed orchard and has a certain level of genetic gain over natural stand seed. “B” class seed or vegetative material originates from natural stands, plantations or genetically unimproved vegetative material production facilities. Natural stand superior provenances are identified with a genetic class “B+.” To qualify as a superior provenance the seed must originate from one of the identified superior provenances as listed in Tables 1–3 (pages 10–11).

The genetic sub-class indicates the kind of seed orchard or natural stand collection from which the seed originates. It is not necessarily an indication of genetic quality or ranking, but rather a designation of the orchard/stand type and/or collection method. A description of the sub-classes for “A” and “B” seed may be found on the reverse of a Cone Collection Report form (FS 721 or 721A) in Appendix 2.

Genetic worth

Genetic worth is a measure of the genetic quality of a seedlot for a specific trait. For example, a seedlot with a genetic worth of “G+03” has a 3% potential growth gain over natural stand seed. The “G” represents volume. At this time there are no seed or vegetative lots with other improved attributes identified with a genetic worth. A genetic worth value is currently only applied to seedlots produced in seed orchards. As the tree improvement programs progress, more seed and vegetative lots will have a genetic worth applied to them.

Use of resistant material for forest health concerns

When selecting appropriate species for a prescription, refer to the Regionally Organized Provincial Forest Health Charts (Appendix 6) of the Establishment to Free Growing Guidebook to determine if there are forest health concerns.

Resistant sources, or material collected from selected trees resistant to a particular insect or disease, may be available. Resistant sources may be registered with a genetic class of “A” or “B+” (as defined above). Currently only two B+ natural stand resistant provenances are identified (see Table 3, page 11).

Naturally resistant or genetically improved seed sources may have a genetic worth applied to them in the near future. When this information is available, select for forest health concerns those lots with the highest genetic worth for pest resistance.

70(4)(c)

Authority:

70(4)(c) See page 8.

Silviculture Practices Regulation, Part 2, Division 1

• Without limiting [previous] subsections, the person must not exceed the limits for seed or vegetative material transfer specified in the Ministry of Forests’ publication “Seed and Vegetative Material Guidebook”, as amended from time to time, unless otherwise permitted by the district manager, or a person authorized by the district manager.

In reforestation operations the movement of seed or vegetative materials (or propagules produced from them) must not exceed the transfer limits described in this section, unless approved by the district manager or a person authorized by the district manager.

The transfer guidelines shall be applied: (1) at the time of submitting a seedling request, or (2) if stock is obtained through trading or is moved from its originally planned location, at the time of planting. This will allow persons to use stock they have requested in accordance with the transfer guidelines at the time of the request, when the transfer limits for a species have been restricted. If the transfer limits for a species increase, everyone may take advantage of this change at the time of planting.

Ensure that an adequate supply of seed or vegetative material is available when initiating a silviculture prescription. Use of the selected seed must comply with the transfer guidelines for the species and its source.

The Seed Planning and Registry System (SPAR) automatically applies the transfer guidelines to all suitable seedlot queries and seedling requests. Where a discrepancy occurs between the transfer guidelines in this section and those applied through SPAR, the former shall prevail. Requests are permitted through SPAR for seedlings that do not adhere to the transfer guidelines. However, an override comment is required. Approval from the district manager or authorized person must be sought by the requesting agency prior to any such requests. Refer to the SPAR User’s Guide or the SPAR User’s Guide for Non-Ministry Clients for information on how to execute suitable seedlot queries and seedling requests.

Variances to the transfer guidelines

Circumstances or conditions may warrant varying the transfer guidelines. Applications for variances should be submitted in writing to the district manager or authorized person, for proper evaluation.

The following information should be submitted to the district manager for consideration:

• circumstances and/or rationale that warrant varying the transfer guidelines
  
• seed or vegetative lot number you intend to use, including its source information (i.e., species, seed planning zone, BGC, elevation, latitude and longitude)
  
• information on the intended planting site (i.e., seed planning zone, BGC, elevation, aspect, latitude and longitude)
  
• other pertinent information.

The district manager or authorized person may assess the situation independently or seek further advice from regional silviculture staff, the seed planning officer or Research Branch geneticists before granting approval. Approvals of transfer guideline variances must be in writing from the district manager, or authorized person, and be attached to the silviculture prescription or opening file number.

These transfer guidelines have been developed to assist silviculture staff plan cone collection activities and select suitable registered seedlots for reforestation. These guidelines are based on results from the ministry’s provenance and progeny tests or observations of general patterns of adaptive genetic variation.

These guidelines are updated whenever significant test information has been collected, analyzed and fully reviewed (approximately every five years). Seed transfer review task groups of ministry and industry personnel, review the guidelines of coast and interior species and recommend any changes to the chief forester. The information in these guidelines therefore represents the best available knowledge of seed and vegetative material transfer in the province.

Transfer guidelines minimize the risks of maladaptation or growth loss associated with moving seed or vegetative material from its source to another location. Exceeding the transfer limits may decrease productivity or increase susceptibility to frost, insects or disease. Poor survival or outright mortality may occur when seed is transferred past its ecological tolerance; however, losses in productivity can be substantial even over relatively short distances, particularly where elevation is concerned.

Species with narrow elevational transfer limits are sensitive to elevational change. For example, in the central and southern interior, susceptibility to needle cast increases significantly with downward movement of Pli seed from its source. Species with wider elevational transfer limits, such as Pw, Yc and Cw, exhibit more plastic behavior and typically are less sensitive to elevational changes. Where there is little test information on a species (due to the absence of a provenance or progeny test program), transfer limits are based on the assumption that the species follows what is generally accepted to be conservative patterns of genetic variation, relative to all species studied thus far. As information for these other species becomes available, the transfer limits may change.

Extensive field testing has shown that, for most species, when seedlots are moved up in elevation from their source, they tend to be more productive than the local higher elevation sources. When higher elevation sources, which are adapted to a shorter growing season, are moved down in elevation, they are less able to take advantage of the favourable growing conditions and often perform worse than local low elevation sources. Downward movement of seed sources can therefore result in loss of productivity and should be discouraged.

This same principle may also apply to latitudinal transfer. Again, field testing has shown that, for some species, southern provenances tend to be more productive than northern ones. Upward or northern transfer limits therefore generally have been made more liberal than downward or southern transfer limits, to increase timber productivity.

Local tree populations have been shown theoretically and experimentally to be not necessarily be the optimum seed source. Superior provenances (B+ seedlots), which have the capability to grow faster or tolerate pests better than other seed sources, have been identified through extensive provenance testing programs. These provenances may therefore have greater transfer allowances than regular B seed. Recognized superior provenances are listed on page 9 of this guide.

Seed orchards consist of selected or tested trees that exhibit superior traits, such as height and volume growth. Since orchard trees represent a broader geographic area than any single natural stand, and/or have been tested over a broad range of environments, seed from an orchard may be more transferable than natural stand seed. Where limited supplies exist, seed orchard and superior provenance seed should be used on the more productive sites, to maximize benefits derived from genetic gains.

Additional biological information on seed transfer can be obtained by asking region or district silviculture staff, the seed planning forester, (250) 387-8940; or the Research Branch, (250) 387-6721.

The following transfer guidelines are divided into subsections for easier reference.

Transfer guidelines for natural stand or plantation provenances

Refer to Appendix 3 for the map of provincial seed planning zone boundaries.

Coastal seed planning zones

1. Seed or vegetative material from coastal natural stand or plantation provenances may only be used within their native seed planning zones unless otherwise noted in Table 4 or subsections 3 and 4 below.

2. Subject to section 1 above, the transfer limits in Table 4 apply to the geographic origin of each coastal species’ seed or vegetative lot.

3. Seed or vegetative material of natural stands or plantations may be moved outside its native seed planning zone in the following cases
   • Douglas-fir from sources below 51o may be transferred from M to GL
     
   • grand fir provenances may be transferred from GL to M within the limits of 2oN and no limit S, and 2oE and no limit W. Or from M to GL within the limits of 2oN and 2oS, and no limit E and 2oW
     
   • western white pine from M to GL
     
   • submaritime provenances may be transferred to interior seed planning zones, if within the same biogeoclimatic zone, and the transfer limits for the species, as listed for the interior in Table 5 apply. Also, note the caution in subsection 5.

4. Transferring seed or vegetative material of the following coastal species is NOT permitted between the specified geographic areas, for the noted species, unless made within the same biogeoclimatic variant:
   • amabilis fir from VI to ML or vice versa
   • western hemlock from QCI to ML or vice versa
   • other minor species from QCI and VI to ML or vice versa. (QCI = Queen Charlotte Islands, VI = Vancouver Island, ML = Mainland)

5. Exercise caution when moving seed from areas along the eastern edge of the SM (submaritime) to areas with more direct maritime influence, and vice versa. Caution is also to be exercised when moving suspected or known coastal/interior hybrid species.

   Table 4. Transfer limits for coastal natural stand or plantation provenances

   Interior seed planning zones

   1. Seed or vegetative material from interior natural stands or plantations must not be transferred outside their native seed planning zones in the interior unless used within the same biogeoclimatic zone, and the transfer adheres to the latitudinal, longitudinal and elevational transfer limits listed in Table 5, unless otherwise noted below in subsection 3.

   2. Subject to subsection 1 above, the transfer limits shown in Table 5 below apply to the geographical origin of each interior species’ seed or vegetative lot.

   3. Transfer of Douglas-fir between SA and TOD, or between CT and QL not permitted. Transfer of western larch outside its native seed planning zone is permitted, irrespective of biogeoclimatic zones, but the transfer must adhere to the limits listed in Table 5.

      Table 5. Transfer limits for interior natural stand or plantation provenances

   Transfer guidelines for superior provenances

   Refer to Appendix 3 for the map of provincial seed planning zone boundaries.

   Lodgepole pine superior provenances

   Seed registered as one of the following lodgepole pine superior (B+) provenances may be used throughout the seed planning zones indicated in Table 6, with the upward elevational transfer limit applied to the seedlot’s source elevation. No downward elevation transfer limits apply. Avoid using these provenances in areas with heavy snow loading.

   Table 6. Transfer limits for lodgepole pine superior provenances

   Interior spruce superior provenances

   Seed registered as one of the following interior spruce superior (B+) provenances may be used throughout the zones indicated in Table 7, with the upward elevational transfer limit applied to the seedlot’s source elevation. No downward elevation transfer limits apply.

   Table 7. Transfer limits for interior spruce superior provenances

   Sitka spruce superior provenances

   Seed registered as one of the following Sitka spruce superior (B+) provenances may be used throughout the zones indicated in Table 8 with the given latitudinal transfer limits applied to the geographic origin of the seedlot. Elevational transfer of Ss B+ provenances is the same as regular Ss provenances, as listed in Table 4.

   Table 8. Transfer limits for Sitka spruce superior provenances

   Transfer guidelines for exotic provenances

   Refer to Appendix 3s for the map of provincial seed planning zone boundaries.
   1. USA noble fir (Bn) seed or vegetative propagules “may be transferred to the coast of British Columbia, provided that collections” are restricted to natural stands north of 45° latitude and above 1000 m. French Butte, McKinley Lake and Steven’s Pass are recommended provenances. Use of Bn provenances must be restricted to maritime sites on Vancouver Island and south of 50° latitude on the mainland. Elevation transfer limits do not apply, though downward movement from source is recommended.

   2. Interior spruce (Sx) seed or vegetative propagules may be transferred from the western limit of the species’ natural range, between the latitudes of 49° and 52°, to the maritime seed planning zone. Elevation transfer limits do not apply.

   3. Idaho western white pine may be transferred to the interior seed planning zones of B.C., provided it is used south of 52° latitude and below 1450 m. Areas subject to frost should be avoided.

   4. Oregon-Washington Sitka spruce seed may be transferred to the coast of British Columbia, provided that collections are from within 30 km of the coast and below 200 m. Their northward transfer should not be more than 4° of latitude and 300 m above the source of origin. Sources from south of the Columbia River should be used at present for operational trials only.

   5. Hybrid poplar (Ax) clones may be transferred to B.C. provided they are used in acordance with the Ministry recommendations for specified geographic areas. Contact the Kalamalka Forestry Centre for a listing of suitable clones.

   6. Other exotic species may be used for operational trials, if approved in the silviculture prescription.

   Transfer guidelines for seed orchard seed*

   Coastal seed orchards
   1. The use of seed shall be limited to the seed planning zones listed for each individual seedlot.

   2. The elevational, latitudinal, and longitudinal transfer limits for coastal natural stand or plantation provenances shall apply to the specified geographic origin of each seed orchard seedlot, unless otherwise noted in subsection 3 or 4.

   3. Seed from coastal orchards listed here may be used within the seed planning zones and elevation and latitude ranges specified in Table 9. These provisions apply to any existing and future seedlots from these orchards.

   4. Additional transfer restrictions apply to seedlots originating from the following orchards:
   • Orchard 118, 142 and 157 (Ss) – If used north of 52o on the mainland, use in the CWHvh subzone only
     
   • Orchard 129 and 160 (Ba) – If used on the mainland, use in the CWHvm1 variant only
     
   • Orchard 156 (Hw) – If used on the mainland, use in CWHvh subzone or CWHvm1 variant only.

   Table 9. Transfer limits for some coastal seed orchards

   Interior seed orchards

   1. Seed from interior seed orchards is to be used only within the seed planning zones listed for each individual seedlot.

   2. The elevational transfer limits for interior natural stand or plantation provenances apply to the specified elevation of each interior seed orchard seedlot, unless otherwise noted in subsection 3.

   3. Seed from interior seed orchards may be used within the seed planning zones and elevation ranges specified in Table 10. These provisions apply to any existing and future seedlots from these orchards.

      Table 10. Transfer limits for some interior seed orchards

   Transfer guidelines for vegetative material from production facilities

   Vegetative lots derived from sources other than natural stands are to be transferred in accordance with the transfer limits listed in this guide for the species and its original source.

   For example, transfer limits for unimproved material from hedges or stoolbeds will be determined in the same manner as specified in the transfer guidelines for seed orchard seed, subsection 1 (see page 28). Vegetative propagules derived from seedlings or seed will have the same transfer limits as their donor seedlot.

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   Keeping records of seed and propagules

   Authority:

   Silviculture Practices Regulation, Part 2, Division 1; Part 3, Division 2
   • A person who is required to establish a free growing stand in accordance with a prescription that specifies planting, must
     – keep a record of the registration numbers of the seedlots or vegetative lots used and the locations where they are planted.

   • A holder of a major licence who is required to establish a free growing stand on an area under a silviculture prescription must submit each year to the district manager the following reports:
     – on April 15, July 31, October 31 and January 15, a report in Form B describing the silviculture activities completed in the harvest area as of the date 2 weeks before the submission date;

   • A holder of a woodlot licence must submit to the district manager, on or before April 30 each year, an annual report in the form required by the chief forester, describing silviculture treatments and timber harvesting activities completed, and results achieved, under the approved silviculture prescription for the previous calendar year.

   • If the government is required to establish a free growing stand
     – the distict manager must
     – keep accurate records of silviculture treatments

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   Following a planting operation, the registration number of the seed or vegetative lot must be recorded on all required planting activity report forms. It is also recommended that the lot numbers be recorded on the strata for the block maps submitted at regeneration delay and at free growing.

   Major licensees must record the lot number under the Obligation number on the Major Licence Silviculture Information System (MLSIS) – Activity Reporting – Form B (FS 708B). Upon entry, MLSIS validates the seedlot and corresponding species code to determine whether the lot has been registered.

   Woodlot licence holders are required to record the seedlot numbers used for reforestation in the Tree Planting section of the Annual Report (FS 330).

   Ministry staff are required to enter lot numbers used for reforestation on the Planting Activities screen of the Integrated Silviculture Information System (ISIS). Again, all lots entered are validated to ensure they have been registered with the ministry.

   Vegetative lots should be entered with an alphabetic character in the first field followed by four numeric characters that most accurately identify its source (e.g., yellow-cedar cuttings from hedge #4552 should be recorded on MLSIS and ISIS as “V4552.”) Records of vegetative lots should be adequately maintained to permit conversion to recognized lot numbers in the future when registration procedures and numbering of vegetative lots is established.

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