Forest policy of U.S. Department of Agriculture

This is a research note written by the USDA Chairman of the Seed Policy Committee, Chief of the Forest Service, Acting Chief of the Soil Conservation Service, and Secretary. It reports USDA Forest Service policy guidelines on tree and shrub planting with respect to location and objective. The seven guidelines are 1) use seed and stock of known origin, 2) provide proof of seed and stock origin, 3) details of the seed and stock including lot number, year, species, origin, and proof of origin, 4) use local seed from natural areas unless another source is superior, 5) use seed from a similar climate if local is not available, 6) determine usefulness of indigenous and exotic species, and delimit climate zones for safe seed/stock transfer, and 7) urge that public and private sectors follow this policy in all forest, shelter-belt, and erosion-control projects. The policy defines local as seed/stock from an area with similar climate conditions, or as that collected within 100 miles and 1000 feet in elevation of the planting site.