Forest Tree Seed Improvement in New York State

It is important to point out at the onset that there has always been concern relative to seed source; however, often problems of procurement were paramount and seed source was by necessity relegated to a secondary position in early plantings. Much of this story centers around individual species, and Scotch pine provides an example of the evolution involved. During the first two decades of reforestation effort a considerable amount of Scotch pine was used, since it was a common tree for reforestation in Europe and inexpensive seed could be purchased. Unfortunately we had not learned much about seed collecting at that time, and as the Scotch pine plantations developed, a great deal of extremely poor stem form was found. In the middle 1920's the reforestation administration found that the Baltic source of Scotch pine maintained good form and we proceeded to make seed purchases from that area of Europe. Nevertheless, during the post World War II period opposition to this seed source came from the Christmas tree growers who objected to the yellow winter coloration of this seed source. We were, therefore, back in the position of looking for a new seed source of Scotch pine.

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Author(s): E. J. Eliason, Gerald R. Stairs

Publication: Tree Improvement and Genetics - Northeastern Forest Tree Improvement Conference - 1964