Forest genetics
Last updated on February 29, 2024Concerted reforestation efforts in British Columbia began in the 1950s. Around this time, foresters realized that second-growth forests could perform better if forest trees were bred with desirable traits.
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Research program
B.C.’s forest genetics research program has reduced plantation failures and has led to economic gains in tree growth and product quality.
Learn more about traditional selection, testing and breeding of tree species native to B.C.
Learn about provincial efforts to help maintain adaptive genetic variation in forest tree populations
Learn how genecology and seed transfer guidelines help forests adapt to climate change
Learn how researchers use selected material from the tree breeding programs
Research stations
Forest genetics research is conducted at three government-run facilities.
Kalamalka Research Station
Research station with clone banks and breeding arboreta for interior tree species with a collection of research trials and demonstration plantings.
- Address: 3401 Reservoir Rd., Vernon, B.C. V1B 2C7
- Phone: 250-260-4766
Cowichan Lake Research Station and Conference Centre
Large collection of breeding populations (clone banks and breeding arboreta) for all coastal conifers with breeding programs. Facilities for raising test seedlings (nursery) and vegetative propagation.
- Address: 7060 Forestry Road, Mesachie Lake, B.C. V0R 2N0
- Phone: 250-749-6811 ext. 26
Find out more about the Conference Centre.
North Road Laboratory
Lab facilities for testing of trees for adaptive (physiological) traits. Pathology screening and plant analytical laboratory facilities are on site as well.
- Address: 4300 North Rd. Victoria, B.C. V8Z 5J3
- Phone: 250-952-5008