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Operational time requirements

Last updated on August 9, 2021

The following are general guidelines for field conditioning, Tree Seed Centre conditioning, cone and seed processing, testing and preparation for sowing.

Clients may request that seedlots be processed on a priority basis if the seedlot must be immediately available for seedling production, or if there are concerns with pre-germination or insect activity. These timelines are average requirements, but the Tree Seed Centre is constantly faced with meeting the unique timelines of its clients.

Guide to Tree Seed Centre operational time requirements

Common name

Species Code

Field conditioning (prior to shipping*)

Extraction

and

processing

Registration

and

storage

Testing

Soak (hrs)

Method

Time (wks)

Western redcedar

Cw

0 to 1

2 

1

3

0

pellet coated

4

Western hemlock

Hw

0 to 1

2

1

8

24

chilling at 2>-5°C

4

Western larch

Lw

2 to 4

3

1

6

24

chilling at 2>-5°C

3

Douglas-fir

Fdc/Fdi

2 to 4

3

1

6

24

chilling at 2>-5°C

3

Spruce species

Sx/Sxs/Ss

2 to 4

3

1

6

24

chilling at 2>-5°C

3

Lodgepole pine

Plc/Pli

0

2

1

7

24

chilling at 2>-5°C

4

Mountain hemlock

Hm

2 to 4

3

1

8

24

chilling at 2>-5°C

4

Ponderosa pine

Py

2 to 4

3

1

7

24

chilling at 2>-5°C

4

Western white pine

Pw

2 to 4

4

1

20

336

14 wks at 2>-5°C

16

Yellow cedar

Yc

0 to 1

3

1

16

72

4 wks at 20°C + 11 wks at 2>-5°C

15

Grand fir

Bg

4

4

1

8

48

chilling at 2>-5°C

4

Pacific silver fir

Ba

4

4

1

16

48

strat/redry 4 + 8 wks

12

Sub-alpine fir

Bl

4

4

1

16

48

strat/redry 4 + 8 wks

12

Noble fir

Bp

4

4

1

16

48

strat/redry 4 + 8 wks

12

* Transport Notice: Contact the Tree Seed Centre, Surrey at 778-609-2005 to arrange a date for cones and/or seed to arrive. This date will vary depending upon crop year, available storage space at the TSC and the condition of your cones. The Tree Seed Centre will make all efforts to expedite your shipment, but please make all efforts to notify us in a timely manner - the earlier the better.
** Pre-treatment requirements may vary by seedlot. Times stated here are maximum requirements. Time to withdraw will range from 5 to 10 days, depending on seasonal demands.