Forest genetics research
Last updated on January 26, 2024Forest genetics research in British Columbia started in the late 1950s and examines the effects of breeding and improvement programs for different tree species.
This research helps improve the quality of second-growth forests and minimize losses due to pests and disease, and it informs how we can adapt our forest management activities in response to climate change.
On this page
Provenance
Research into tree provenance helps us understand how trees are adapted to different environmental conditions through genetic adaptation or phenotypic plasticity (responsive, observable characteristics in trees in response to their environment).
| Experimental project # | Title | Year established |
|---|---|---|
| EP 657.03 | Variability in juvenile growth behaviour of thirty lodgepole pine provenances - Part 3 field tests | 1971 |
| EP 657.06 | Geographic variation and provenance X site interaction with all-range provenance samples of lodgepole pine | 1974 |
| EP 705.04 | Western USA Engelmann and Colorado blue spruce provenance trials | 1991 |
Tree improvement
Tree improvement uses genetics to improve the quality of trees to increase both the volume and value of future wood. Research allows us to improve trees' growth rate, disease resistance and wood and fibre quality while maintaining a broad genetic base in tree species.
| Experimental project # | Title | Year established |
|---|---|---|
| EP 670.02.04 | Tree improvement of interior spruces in B.C.: East Kootenay second generation progeny tests | 1997 |
| EP 670.70 | Tree improvement of interior spruces in B.C.: Miscellaneous controlled crosses (pilot project) | 1982 |
| EP 670.71 | Studies of white - Engelmann spruce genetics | 1989 |
| EP 705.04 | Western USA Engelmann and Colorado blue spruce provenance trials | 1991 |
| EP 770.20 | East Kootenay interior lodgepole pine seed orchard progeny testing | 1999 |
| EP 976.02.04 | Genetic improvement of interior Douglas-fir in the B.C. Interior: Progeny tests for West Kootenay (low elevation) seed planning zone | 1987 |
| EP 976.02.05 | Genetic improvement of interior Douglas-fir in the B.C. Interior: Progeny tests for West Kootenay (high elevation) seed planning zone | 1988 |
| EP 976.02.07 | Genetic improvement of interior Douglas-fir in the B.C. Interior: Progeny tests for Mica seed planning zone | 1989 |
| EP 976.02.08 | Genetic improvement of interior Douglas-fir in the B.C. Interior: Progeny tests for East Kootenay seed planning zone | 1992 |
| EP 1012.01 | Yellow-cedar population study | 1992 |
| EP 1012.02 | Western redcedar preliminary genetic tests | 1993 |
| EP 1020.02.01 | Genetic improvement of western larch: Series 1 progeny tests for East Kootenay seed planning zone | 1991 |
| EP 1020.02.02 | Genetic improvement of western larch: Progeny tests for West Kootenay seed planning zone | 1993 |
| EP 1020.02.03 | Genetic improvement of western larch: Series 2 progeny tests for East Kootenay seed planning zone | 1994 |
| EP 1020.02.04 | Genetic improvement of western larch: Series II progeny tests for West Kootenay Shuswap Adams seed planning | 1996 |
| EP 1200.03 | Genecological study of submaritime Douglas-fir seedlots in the B.C. Interior | 1997 |