Pseudotsuga (menziesii )

Kayla Herriman Manager USDA FS - R6 Bend Seed Extractory 63095 Deschutes Market Road Bend, Oregon 97701 kayla.herriman@usda.gov http://fsweb-ochdes.r6.fs.fed.us/seedextractory/ex

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Family Scientific Name:	Pinaceae
Family Common Name:	Pine
Scientific Name:	Pseudotsuga menziesii
Common Name:	Douglas-fir
Species Code:	PSME
General Distribution:	The natural range of Douglas-fir extends from central Mexico to central British Columbia.
Propagation Goal:	Seeds
ProductType:	Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.)
Stock Type:	seed processing
Propagule Collection:	Cones – Bud burst occurs during late winter or spring and become receptive to pollination when they have emerged by half to 2/3 from the bud scales. Seeds develop through late spring and summer, reaching maturity in August or early September. There are 2 seeds/scale and the number of filled seed per cone varies widely depending on their size and place of origin. Collection – Cones are removed from trees and stored in burlap or mesh bags, one bushel per bag.
Propagule Processing:	Pre-Processing – Bags of cones are pre-dried on racks in a well-ventilated indoor storage area. Bags should be turned daily until significant flaring has occurred, then every other day until processing starts or it is determined that cones are fully flared. Bags are emptied into kiln trays, 5-6 bags/side depending on the size of cones. Cones are then kiln dried at 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit for 6-12 hours until fully flared. Processing – *Note: all processing of PSME must take place in 60-degree temps or less. This includes tumbling, de-winging, screening, gravity table, and floating. This is to ensure that excessive pitch does not accumulate on equipment or seed. Extraction: Cones are tumbled to extract the seeds. Do not tumble immediately after kiln drying even if air temp is low because pitch will be too soft. Pitch-dust and the largest cone pieces are screened on the tumbler. Check tumbled cones after one run to ensure viable seed does not remain. If viable seed does remain, additional runs on the tumbler may be necessary. De-winging: Seeds are de-winged using a Mortar/Mixer De-winger. Dry tumble up to ¾ of a tall barrel in the mixer for 5 minutes. Check seed for damage and effectiveness of the de-winging process. If more than 10% of seed still has wings attached, return to mixer for additional tumbling being cautious of the potential to overwork seed. Finishing: Seeds are air-screened, using a Clipper Eclipse Model 324. First run: Top screen = 8 X 3/4 slot, 2nd= 17 round, 3rd = 18 round, bottom = 7 round, Air = 40. The goal of the first run is to remove as much of the lightest and heaviest inert material possible without removing any filled seed. Do not worry about perfecting fill and purity until the second run. Second run (try to avoid a 3rd): Top screen = 16 round with 1/2 covered, bottom = 1/18 X 3/4 slot round, Air = 40. Frequently clean detached wings or they will blow back into the heavies. The goal of the 2nd run is to further improve the purity and fill of the seed lot and reduce the overall volume without losing filled seed. Adjust air settings as necessary to remove empty seed only. Try to leave at least 10% empty seed for removal on the gravity table. Generally, PSME will require additional machine work beyond the eclipse to meet the standards set by certain clients. For example, ODF requires 95% fill and purity, which can most efficiently and predictably be achieved at BSE through a combination of the gravity table and floating. Gravity: The Gravity Separator, Oliver Model 30 (the “old” gravity table), is used to split PSME lots that are at least ½ barrel in volume into 3 separate densities. Start with the following settings: Air = ~3.5, speed =~480, feed = ~4 (full table). The densest material will be a combination of pitch, some heavy cone pieces, and the densest seed. The least dense material will be a combination of empty/insect-filled/partial seed along with light inert plant material. After the first run, you should be able to set aside at least ¾ of the seed as “finished”. This portion will feed into the middle barrel and needs to be over 95% purity and fill. The least dense barrel may need to be re-run to capture additional filled seed and the densest barrel may need to be re-run until it is no more than ¼ barrel in volume. Start with the following settings to capture more seed from the least dense barrel: Air = ~1.5, speed =~460, feed = ~1.5 (1/2 table). Floating: Float seed outside. Fill basin to no more than 1/3 full of seed then add water to within 1” of top. Drain off pitch and water, then refill and drain at least 2 more times until most of the pitch is separated. Run seed through the basin with water into a bread tray and spread to a 1” or less layer. Dry immediately. Add this seed back to the “finished” portion from the gravity table only after it is thoroughly dried.
Other Comments:	Average Number of Seeds per Pound: 34,050 Average percent purity: 97% Average percent fill: 95% Average estimated PLS/bushel: 9,692 *PLS calculated using fill% *This PSME information comes from 303 processing records at the Bend Seed Extractory from collections seasons 1990 through 2019.

Citation:

Herriman, Kayla . 2024. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) Pseudotsuga menziesii Seeds seed processing; USDA FS - R6 Bend Seed Extractory Bend, Oregon. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.