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Home → Publications → The Genetic Improvement of Jack Pine in Michigan

The Genetic Improvement of Jack Pine in Michigan

Jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) is a tree of the northern forests of the United States and Canada, commonly occurring as a fire-following species on less fertile, drier soils. In the Great Lakes states, jack pine is an important source of pulpwood, is requisite to maintaining viable Kirtland's warbler populations and is one of the few tree species suited to many of the outwash plains of northern Michigan. Consequently, it is widely planted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). In 1995 alone, approximately 1,500 pounds of jack pine seed were processed by MDNR's State Tree Improvement Center and used in establishing nearly 6,000 acres. Jack pine is also a genetically diverse species amenable to genetic improvement (Rudolph, 1964; Jeffers and Nienstaedt, 1972). Jack pine's economic value, coupled with its genetic diversity, make it an excellent candidate for genetic improvement, and it has been the object of tree improvement efforts in Michigan since 1951. The objectives of this publication are fourfold: 1. Provide a brief history of tree improvement activities with jack pine in Michigan. ' 2. Discuss the genetic gains made to date. 3. Outline the short-term and longterm strategies employed to achieve these gains. 4. Discuss plans for continuing the genetic improvement of jack pine in Michigan.


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Author(s): Paul Bloese, Daniel E. Keathley