Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use

The province's chief forester established the Chief Forester's Standards for Seed Use in accordance with the Forest and Range Practices Act and its regulations. These standards came into effect on April 1, 2005.

On this page:

• The Standards
• Amendments
• Areas of use
• Genetic worth
• Alternatives
• Archive

These standards require that seed used to establish a free growing stand on blocks subject to Forest and Range Practices Act must be registered, tested, and stored, with the ministry’s, Forest Improvement and Research Management Branch (Tree Seed Centre). Seed must meet specific collection, genetic diversity and physical quality requirements to be eligible for registration. Seed that has been genetically modified cannot be registered. Seed use standards also apply to seed collection (Collection Area), selection and use (Genetic Worth), and seed transfer (Areas of Use). Collectively, these standards maintain the identity, adaptability, diversity and productivity of the province's tree gene resources.

The Standards

Consolidated Chief Forester's Standards for Seed Use (April 2022)(PDF, 576KB) April, 2022 - current version for operational use

Memorandum: Next Phase of Transition to Climate Based Seed Transfer (PDF, 138KB)

Forest enhancement and forest carbon initiatives

For information see, Best Practices for Seed Use in a Changing Climate Dec 2019 (PDF, 279KB)

Amendments

Amendments refer to changes to the Chief Forester's Standards for Seed Use, including changes registration, storage and testing, seed selection and use, and seed transfer (areas of use).

• Climate Based Seed Transfer Areas of Use May 2022 v1 (XLSX, 3.9MB) May, 2022 - current version for operational use
• Chief Forester letter announcing amendments May, 2022 (PDF, 262KB)

Areas of use

To learn more about tree seed areas of use applicable under older versions of the Standards, visit the Area of Use webpage.

Alternatives

Under section 169 of the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA), and regulations pertaining to seed use (FPPR section 43 and WLPPR section 32), a person who uses seed may submit for approval an alternative to any standard established by the Chief Forester. For more information, see the Alternatives Policy (PDF, 380KB).

Archive

Documents and materials listed below are provided for historical reference.