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.

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 2018)

Memorandum: Next Phase of Transition to Climate Based Seed Transfer - NEW JUNE 2021 (PDF, 138 KB)

Note: Further changes (based on April 2019 amendments) were not required to this document. 

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].

• Chief Forester letter announcing amendments April 2019 (PDF 262 KB) April,  2019 - current version for operational use
• Climate Based Seed Transfer Areas of Use April 2019 v1 (3.9 MB) April,  2019 - current version for operational use
• Amendments to the Standards April 2019 (PDF, 311 KB) - summary posted online 2020.07.30

Areas of Use

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

Genetic Worth

To learn more about tree seed genetic worth applicable under the Standards, visit the Genetic Worth webpage [coming soon].

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.

Archive

Documents and materials listed below are provided for historical reference.