National proceedings: Forest and conservation nursery associations 2002

This proceedings is a compilation of 33 papers that were presented at the regional meetings of the forest and conservation nursery associations in the United States in 2002. The joint meeting of the Southern Forest Nursery Association and the Northeastern Forest and Conservation Nursery Association was held at the DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center in Gainesville, Florida on July 15 to 18. The meeting was hosted by the Florida Division of Forestry, Andrews Nursery. In addition to technical sessions, tours included Andrews Nursery and Stansel Farm & Nursery. The combined meeting of the Western Forest and Conservation Nursery Association and the Forest Nursery Association of British Columbia occurred August 5 to 8 at the WestCoast Hotel in Olympia, Washington. The meeting was hosted by the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Webster Forest Nursery. Morning technical sessions were followed by field trips to Webster Nursery and the Weyerhaeuser Bonsai Garden. Subject matter for both sessions included seed transfer, collection, and processing; pest problems and pesticide use; nursery culturing; transplanting; harvesting, storage, and outplanting. The selection of an appropriate seed source is critical for successful southern pine plantations. Seed movement guidelines are described which are based on climatic similarities between the seed source origin and the planting site. Because yearly average minimum temperature is the most important climatic variable related to growth and survival, it has been used to define the rules of seed movement. This variable, which defines “plant hardiness zones”, has been used for many years by horticulturists to guide the transfer of plant materials. East-west movement to areas of similar climate is permissible, with the exception of loblolly pine.