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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
EASTERN REGION (REGION 9)
MILWAUKEE, WI
FSH 2409.17 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 4 – TREE SEED
Supplement No.: R9 RO 2409.17-2006-3
Effective Date: November 6, 2006
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JOHN PHIPPS
Deputy Regional Forester
Date Approved: 11/6/2006
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this Handbook was 2409.17-2006-2 to Chapter 8.
New Document
R9 RO 2409.17-2006-3
25 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
None
0 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
Entire Supplement – Provides Direction for the Region 9 Seed Program.
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Artificial reforestation and restoration usually require seed. Access to an appropriate source of
seed is the result of a well planned and executed seed program. The following describes the
components of the Region 9 Seed Program. Much of the information in this document is specific
for conifers which make up the vast majority of the trees planted in Region 9. Most of the
guidelines may also apply to other tree species, shrubs, grasses and forbs as well.
4.02 – OBJECTIVES
The objective of the Eastern Region seed program is to:
1. Have an adequate supply of seed.
2. Provide high quality seed.
3. Provide genetically appropriate seed that is locally adapted and genetically diverse.
4. Conserve time and money, by producing seed efficiently and by not producing more
seed than is needed.
4.04 – Responsibility
4.04a – Regional Forester
The Regional Forester is responsible for:
1. Establishing seed movement guidelines and authorizing exceptions to those
guidelines.
2. Conducting tests to update seed movement guidelines in cooperation with researchers
and Forest personnel.
3. Establishing guidelines to maintain genetic diversity.
4. Estimating Regional seed needs.
5. Assisting or advising foresters, botanists, the nursery manager, and the seed orchard
manager on seed-related issues.
6. Maintaining the Oconto River Seed Orchard.
7. Collecting cones or seed from the appropriate blocks of the Seed Orchard when
needed.
8. Extracting seed from cones collected at the Seed Orchard or delivered by the Forests to
the Seed Orchard.
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9. Establishing new seed orchard blocks when a need for the seed has been established by
Forest Silviculturists, the Regional Geneticist and Nursery Manager.
Items 1 through 5 above are delegated to the Regional Geneticist.
Items 6 through 9 above are delegated to the Manager of the Oconto River Seed Orchard.
4.04b – Forest Supervisors
Forest Supervisors are responsible for the following items which may be delegated to the Forest
Silviculturists:
1. Estimating seed needs for the Forest for the next 10 years, as well as estimating
seedling needs for the next 4 years. These should be submitted to the J.W. Toumey Nursery
upon request.
2. Costs incurred for seed that has been removed from the Regional Seed Cache and
seedlings that have been grown from it, regardless of whether the Forest plants the seedlings.
3. Maintaining an inventory of seed needs vs. seed inventory.
4. Submitting requests for Working Capital Funds (WCF) to collect cones or seed on the
Forest to the J.W. Toumey Nursery manager.
5. Making collections of cones or seed on the Forest and transporting the cones or seed to
the seed extractory, seed cleaning facility, nursery, etc.
4.04c – Supervisor of the Ottawa National Forest
The Supervisor of the Ottawa National Forest is responsible for:
1. Maintaining the Regional Seed Cache.
2. Reviewing requests for new seed from Forest Silviculturists and the Regional
Geneticist and authorizing the use of WCF funds to collect or purchase seed that is needed to
meet Regional seed needs.
3. Cleaning seed collected by the Forests or the Seed Orchard.
4. Determining the price of seed stored in the Regional Seed Cache.
5. Selecting the appropriate seed lots to fill each Forest’s order for seed or seedlings in
consultation with the Forest Silviculturists and the Regional Geneticist.
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6. Attempting to find a legal buyer for seedlings Forests have ordered, but are unable to
plant.
7. Disposing of seed that is not needed or has poor germination.
Items 1 through 7 above are delegated to the Manager of the J.W. Toumey Nursery.
4.05 – DEFINITIONS
Breeding zone - An area within which it is thought to be safe to transfer tree seed collected from
seed orchards where the parents have been tested for wide adaptability. In Region 9, a breeding
zone generally includes several seed collection zones.
Cleaning (of seed) – Preparing seed for storage or sowing. With conifers this may involve
removing wings from the seed and separating trash from the seed. With fleshy fruited species,
this may involve removing the seed from the fruit.
Ecotype – A subdivision of a species that is adapted to a particular type of site.
Embryo – The small plant within the seed.
Endosperm – Carbohydrate rich storage tissue in a seed that surrounds the embryo and supports
it during germination and early growth.
Extraction (of seed) – Removing the seed of conifers from cones.
Genetic diversity – Genetically determined variation within a species, population or seed lot.
This variation can be expressed on a molecular level as differences in genes (e.g. the percentage
of loci that are polymorphic) or on a phenotypic level as differences in traits (e.g. the variance in
height among different genetic units). Genetic variation can be partitioned at various scales (e.g.
among populations, among individuals within populations, etc.).
Germination – The resumption of growth of an embryo in a seed. The emergence of a root from
a seed.
Locally adapted – Able to grow normally and reproduce on the site where it is planted because it
evolved in the same area.
Seed collection zone – An area within which it is thought to be appropriate to transfer tree seed
collected from natural populations. Ideally these should be based on biological data collected for
each species that is planted.
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Seed lot – A batch of seed. This is a very generic term and may refer to a bag of seed collected
from one tree, one population, one seed orchard, or one species.
Seed orchard – A specialized plantation that is managed exclusively for seed production.
Seed production area – A stand that has been converted to use primarily for seed production.
Serotinous – Cones that remain closed on the tree after maturity.
4.06 - References
Beaulieu, J., Perron, M., and Bousquet, J. 2004.
Multivariate patterns of adaptive genetic variation and seed source transfer in Picea mariana.
Can. J. For. Res. 34:531-545.
Creasey, K.R. 1996.
Guidelines for tree seed crop forecasting and collecting.
Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Toronto, Ontario.
Fryer, J.H., Ledig, F.T., Korbobo, D.R. 1971.
Photosynthetic response of balsam fir seedlings from an altitudinal gradient.
Nineteenth Northeastern For. Tree Improv. Conf., Aug. 2-4, 1971, Orono, ME.
Genys, J.B. 1993.
Diversity in black cherry from different geographic seed sources studies twenty years in
Maryland. Second Northern Tree Improv. Conf.. July 29-30, 1993, Roseville, MN.
Little, E.L., Jr. 1971.
Atlas of United States trees. Vol. 1. Conifers and important hardwoods.
USDA Forest Service. Misc. Pub. No. 1146. Wash. DC.
Little, E.L., Jr. 1977.
Atlas of United States trees. Minor eastern hardwoods.
USDA Forest Service. Misc. Publ. No. 1342. Wash. DC.
Musselman, R.C., Lester, D.T., and Adams, M.S. 1975.
Localized ecotypes of Thuja occidentalis L.
Ecology 56:647-655.
Randall, W.K. 1996
Forest tree seed zones for western Oregon
Oregon Dept. Forestry, Salem, OR.
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Rehfeldt, G.E. 1993.
Evolutionary genetics, the biological species, and the ecology of interior cedar-hemlock forests.
In: Proc. Interior cedar-hemlock-white pine forests: ecology and management. Mar 2-4, 1993.
Spokane, WA.
Schmidtling, R.C. 2001.
Southern pine seed sources (GTR-SRS-44).
USDA Forest Service Southern Res. Stn. Asheville, NC.
Teich, A.H.and Holst, M.J. 1974.
White spruce limestone ecotypes.
For. Chron. 50:110-111.
USDA Forest Service. 1974.
Seeds of woody plants in the United States (Agric. Hdbk. No. 450).
USDA Forest Service, Washington DC.
(or web based version at http://www.ntsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/index.html)
4.1 – Need for Seed Movement Guidelines
The conditions under which common species grow vary from place to place. Some of this
variation is at a large scale; for example, the difference in growing season length between one
area and another several hundred miles to the north. Some of the variation is at a much smaller
scale; for example, the difference between a wet soil at the bottom of a slope and a drier soil
several hundred yards up a slope.
Populations of native plants tend to adapt to their environment. Variation in adaptively important
traits such as time of bud burst, time of growth cessation, height, or survival often reflect
variation in the environment. Sometimes these adaptively important traits vary over distances of
hundreds of miles. For example, dates of bud burst and bud set are highly correlated with the
number of days without frost at the origin of the seed in black spruce (Beaulieu et. al. 2004).
Sometimes these adaptively important traits vary over much shorter distances. For example, the
response to moisture stress of populations of northern white-cedar from wet sites differs
markedly from populations from dry sites that are as little as a half mile away (Musselman et. al.
1975).
There are obvious advantages to planting seedlings that are adapted to their environment. The
Region 9 approach is to assume that local sources of seed are adapted to their environment and to
determine how far away seed can be obtained without differing significantly from the local
material.
4.11 – Tree Seed Collection Zones
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It is best to determine how far it is appropriate to move seed through the use of common garden
studies that measure adaptively important traits. We know that the distance it is appropriate to
move seed can vary considerably from one part of the country to another. For example, common
garden studies have been used to show that pines can often be moved much further in the
Southeast than they can in the Northwest. (Randall 1996 and Schmidtling 2001). We also know
that the distance it is appropriate to move seed can vary considerably among species. For
example, common garden studies in the northern Rocky Mountains have shown that the
difference in the number of frost-free days between where seed is collected and where it is
planted should be no more than 20 days for some species, but can be more than 90 days for other
species (Rehfeldt 1993).
Ideally, separate seed movement guidelines should be developed for each species that is widely
planted. Unfortunately, little seed movement research has been done in the northeastern United
States. In the absence of such research, the Eastern Region delineated generic seed movement
guidelines for tree species in 1970 based largely on differences in climate and anecdotal evidence
of seed movement failures. Region 9 refers to these guidelines as Seed Collection Zones (Exhibit
01).
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4.11 – Exhibit 01
2006 Tree Seed Collection Zones
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Seed collected from natural populations of trees should be transferred only within these zones.
The Regional Geneticist shall be consulted before moving seed across these Seed Collection
Zone boundaries.
Regional Seed Collection Zones should be reevaluated periodically and adjusted if appropriate.
Data from specially designed, short term common garden studies can help evaluate the current
Seed Collection Zones. Data collected from long term common garden studies established as tree
improvement tests can help provide field verification of the short term studies.
One should recognize that variation within these Seed Collection Zones will also affect the
choice of seed that should be used. Not all sites within a seed collection zone are appropriate for
any given species. If white pine is planted on a jack pine site, it is going to do poorly regardless
of whether it is from the appropriate Seed Collection Zone. A silviculturist should be consulted
to determine what tree species are appropriate for any given site. In addition, seed from some
species should be subdivided even within a Seed Collection Zone. We know that some species
that occupy both wet and dry sites; for example, northern whitecedar and red maple; can show
substantial genetic differences between populations from these two types of sites (Musselman et.
al. 1975, Townsend and Roberts 1973). We also know that some species that occupy a broad
range of elevations can show variation over relatively short distances. This is not as important in
this Region as it is in parts of the West, but the possibility should be considered on Forests with
elevational gradients such as the White Mountain (Fryer et. al. 1971) and the Monongahela
(Genys 1993). There is also limited evidence to suggest there may be adaptation within Seed
Collection Zones to specific soil types; for example, granitic versus limestone soils (Teich and
Holst 1974). In these cases it may be advisable to maintain separate seedlots within Seed
Collection Zones for specific types of sites.
4.12 – Native Plant Guidelines
The situation is very similar for non-tree native plants. Very little seed movement research has
been done on native plants, so the Region has established generic seed movement guidelines for
them as well. These guidelines are based on Ecological Sections (Exhibit 1). Seed should be
moved only within Ecological Sections. The Regional Botanist or Regional Geneticist should be
consulted before moving seed of non-tree native plants across these boundaries. Forests may
elect to restrict seed movement even more if they have a compelling reason. A botanist should be
consulted to determine what species of non-tree native plants are appropriate for a given site.
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4.12 – Exhibit 01
Ecological Sections of the Northeastern United States
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4.2 – Need for Genetic Diversity
Genetic variation within species provides very important short term and long term benefits.
Populations that are genetically diverse produce offspring with an array of characteristics.
Environments vary over both space and time. Because a genetically diverse population produces
offspring with broader range of characteristics than a genetically limited population, it will be
able to occupy a broader range of sites at any given time. The environment also changes over
time, often in ways that we can not predict. Significant environmental changes that have
occurred over the last 100 years include the introduction of new insects and diseases, changes in
fire frequency, and changes in silvicultural practices. Genetic variation is the raw material that
makes it possible for populations to adapt to changes like these. Genetically diverse populations
are more likely to adapt to changes over time than genetically limited populations.
Genetic variation within a species can exist at many different scales. The total genetic variation
within a species could be subdivided into differences among zones, differences among
populations within zones, and differences among individuals within populations. It is important
to maintain genetic diversity at all of these different levels. We maintain genetic differences
between zones by limiting the transfer of seed between Seed Collection Zones. Thus in addition
to increasing survival and growth, the Region 9 Seed Collection Zones also help maintain
genetic diversity at a large scale. Genetic variation is maintained at finer scales by collecting
seed from multiple stands within the Seed Collection Zones and by collecting seed from multiple
individuals within stands.
4.21 – Maintaining Genetic Diversity with Seed Collections
When seed for reforestation is collected from trees in stands or seed production areas,
approximately equal amounts of seed should be collected from at least 15 trees within a stand.
These 15 or more trees should be scattered through the stand. If they are clustered in one area
they may be related. While it is not necessary to spend a lot of time picking out the very best
trees to collect seed from, better than average trees with good seed or cone crops should be
chosen.
Seed should also be collected from multiple stands or seed production areas. Depending on how
much seed is needed, it could be collected from multiple stands each time it is collected or the
stands where it is collected could be changed periodically, perhaps every 10 years. When seed is
collected from multiple stands consider storing it separately, by stand, in the seed cache. This
provides more flexibility than bulking seed from all the stands in the Seed Collection Zone.
Seed orchards are established when large seed needs are anticipated over long periods of time.
This means a more diverse sample is needed. Seed orchards should include at least 30 unrelated
parents. These parents should be obtained from throughout the area where the seed will be
deployed.
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4.3 – Procedures for Collecting Seed
This section provides more specific information on how to apply the general principles that have
already been described.
4.31 – Assessing Seed Needs
Most trees do not produce large amounts of seed every year. Instead, production of seed varies
depending on weather, insect populations, and other factors. This means that enough seed must
be collected and stored during good seed years to meet seed needs until the next good seed crop.
Region 9 stores its tree seed in the Regional Seed Cache at the J.W. Toumey Nursery. In general,
this means that there should be enough seed in the Seed Cache for a particular area to last 5 to 10
years, but there are exceptions. For example, acorns do not store well, so they are generally
collected the fall before they are to be planted.
4.31a – 10 Year Seed Plans
Each Forest should prepare an estimate of the seed it expects to use by species and Seed
Collection Zone for the next 10 years. The following table (Exhibit 1) can be used to identify
this information.
4.31 – Exhibit 1
Format for submitting 10-year seed needs.
POUNDS OF SEED NEEDED PER 10 YEAR PERIOD
FOREST
DISTRICT
SPECIES
SEED
ZONE
10 YEAR
NEED
The 10-year Seed Needs should be filed with the Regional Geneticist and updated every three
years or more frequently if changes in seed needs are anticipated.
The 10-year Seed Plans will be used to determine if a particular seed orchard block should be
harvested. They will also be used to determine if requests for WCF funds to collect tree seed are
justified. WCF funds will not be issued for seed collection unless there is a demonstrated need
for the seed. These estimated seed needs should include both planned, as well as a reasonable
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level of unplanned, seed needs. Unplanned seed needs would include regeneration that is needed
as a result of fire, blow down, or insect outbreaks.
Seed needs vary dramatically with the method of artificial regeneration. Direct seeding uses
considerably more seed than planting seedlings. If seed is in short supply, seed can be conserved
by planting seedlings.
The Region 9 seed inventory is summarized on the J.W. Toumey Nursery website.
4.32 – Know the Origin of All Seed
Forest Service Manual stipulates that all seed or seedlings planted on National Forests be of
known origin (FSM 2475.23).
Those responsible for the collection of cones or seeds should know the stand where the seed was
collected.
1. If seed is collected from a plantation they should know the origin of the seedlings used
to establish the plantation.
2. If seed is collected from a seed orchard they should know the origin of the seeds or
clones used to establish the seed orchard.
3. If seedlings are purchased from a nursery, the origin of the seed should be known.
The identity of the seed source should be maintained throughout the life of the planted stand.
4.33 – Types of Collection Areas
Seed can be obtained from general collections, selected stands, seed production areas or seed
orchards. These options will be evaluated by the criteria of local adaptation and genetic diversity.
Seed from general collections, selected stands, seed production areas and seed orchards should
be stored separately.
4.33a – General Collections
General collections are the least desirable source of seed. Typically they include cones or seeds
that are purchased from individuals that show up at a District office. When Districts purchase
cones or seeds from individuals they must inspect them to determine if they are the correct
species and if the cones or fruit contain viable seed. Cone and seed collectors generally use the
most expedient method of obtaining the product a District is willing to purchase. In some cases
they may drive some distance to an area that happens to have a good seed crop that year. In other
cases they may collect cones or seed from trees along roads or in cemeteries that are of unknown
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origin. In these cases, the seed purchased may not be locally adapted. Often seed collectors will
pick from trees where the cones or seeds are close to the ground. These parents may be
genetically inferior. In some cases large amounts of seed can be collected from a single tree.
When this is done, the seed will not be genetically diverse. With general collections, the quality
of the seed collected depends on the seed collector who can’t be expected to do extra work for no
additional pay. In many cases seedlings grown by state or private nurseries will have been
grown from seed collections obtained in this way.
4.33b – Selected Stands
Forests can fulfill their obligation to maintain the identity of the origin of the seed by designating
the stand where the seed is to be collected. These selected stands must be chosen carefully.
1. Avoid plantations, particularly if they are of unknown seed source. Many of our
reproductively mature plantations were established during the Civilian Conservation Corps era
when seed origin was not considered important. Under no circumstances should seed be
collected from plantations of unknown origin if they have poor stocking or if the trees are
unhealthy.
2. Avoid genetic test plantations. Researchers and tree improvement workers often
establish test plantations with parents from a broad range of sources. It is generally unwise to
collect seed from these plantations for operational reforestation. The Regional Geneticist must be
consulted before collecting seed from a genetic test plantation.
3. Avoid stands that have been subjected to repeat high grading. High grading tends to
leave trees that are not well adapted to the local conditions.
4. Avoid stands that were regenerated following a seed tree cut or other treatment that left
only a few parents. In these cases many of the trees in the stand will be related and the seed
collected from them may have been the product of inbreeding. Inbred seed may have poorer
germination, express undesirable mutations when it does germinate, or grow slowly.
When collecting seed from a designated stand, collect approximately equal amounts of seed from
at least 15 individuals. Ideally they should be scattered around the stand so they are separated by
at least 100 feet. Consider storing the seed from each designated stand separately to maintain
flexibility when the seed is deployed.
4.33c – Seed Production Areas
Forests may want to consider converting a few especially nice stands into seed production areas.
These are stands that have been modified to increase seed production or to increase access. Seed
production areas should be chosen very carefully as seed will be collected from them repeatedly.
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They should be well stocked with at least 30 trees per acre of the target species. In addition to the
criteria listed above for selected stands, seed production areas should be located in areas that
have a history of reliable seed crops.
In many cases these stands should be thinned to increase production of seed or cones. Trees that
are slow growing or poorly formed should be removed during this thinning.
In some cases, seed production areas are fertilized to increase cone production.
In some cases seed production areas are developed to allow access by bucket trucks to facilitate
seed collection.
If a Forest has more than one seed production area for a particular Seed Collection Zone,
consider storing the seed from seed production area separately to maintain flexibility when the
seed is deployed.
Sometimes plantations are established with the intention of converting them to a seed production
area some time in the future. When this is the intention, take special care to establish a plantation
with adequate genetic diversity. Include seedlings from at least 30 parents. Arrange the seedlings
so closely related seedlings are separated from each other. These parents should be from multiple
stands scattered throughout the area where the seed will be deployed. For example, you might
include seed from about 6 trees in each of 5 different stands.
4.33d – Seed Orchards
Seed orchards may be established for certain species. These are plantations that are established
for the exclusive purpose of cone or seed production. Seed orchards are typically established for
species for which large amounts of seed are needed (e.g. 200 pounds of jack pine seed is needed
for the Lake States each year), species for which special traits are needed (e.g. blister rust
resistant white pine for the Forests in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan), or species that are difficult to collect seed from in the wild (e.g. hemlock in some
areas).
A seed orchard involves a sizeable investment and should only be established in consultation
with the Regional Geneticist. Seed orchards can be composed either of parents that have not
been tested or parents that have been tested. It is especially expensive to establish a tested seed
orchard because it also requires the establishment and maintenance of test plantations. Because
the seed from a seed orchard will be planted over a large area for a long period of time, it should
include a larger number of parents – perhaps 30. Seed from each seed orchard should be stored
separately.
One of the advantages of a tested seed orchard is that its parents should have been selected partly
because they produce seedlings that are suited for a broad array of sites. This means seed orchard
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seed can often be planted over several adjacent Seed Collection Zones. In Region 9 these groups
of adjacent Seed Collection Zones are referred to as Breeding Zones. Breeding Zones have only
been established for Forests in the Lake States (Exhibit 1).
4.34 – Funding
A number of sources are available to pay for cone and seed collection. These include Working
Capital Funds (WCF), appropriated funds (typically National Forest Vegetation and Watershed
Management (NFVW), Knutson-Vandenberg Funds (KV), and Reforestation Trust Funds
(RTRT). The rules for the collection and use of seeds varies depending on the source of these
funds.
The majority of the tree seed in Region 9 is collected in the Lake States Forests and on the Mark
Twain National Forest. WCF is used to pay for collecting most of the seed for these Forests.
4.34a – Working Capital Funds (WCF)
WCF for tree seed is very similar to WCF for vehicles. Forests paid for their initial seed
collections with appropriated funds and donated the seed to the WCF cache. The Forest pays a
fee to withdraw the seed from this cache and WCF pays for the collection of new seed to replace
what is withdrawn. If Forests want to greatly increase the amount of their seed in the WCF
cache, they must finance these increases with additional appropriated funds. The Forests that
have traditionally used WCF to pay for seed collections can also choose to use appropriated
funds. Forests may be charged a fee for the cleaning of non-WCF seed or storing it in the Seed
Cache at the J.W. Toumey Nursery.
Forests should not have to pay a fee when they withdraw non-WCF seed from the Seed Cache.
The other Forests in the Region generally pay for collection of seed with appropriated funds.
They can continue to do so or they can elect to participate in the WCF cache in the future. If this
choice is made, their initial collections should be made with appropriated funds and donated to
WCF.
WCF funds are not to be used for establishing and maintaining seed orchards. They can be used
to collect seed or cones from a seed orchard or to extract or clean seed.
4.34a – Knutson-Vendenberg Funds (KV)
KV funds can also be used for some cone or seed collections. These funds are associated with
particular projects. KV funds should be used only to collect or purchase seed for those projects
and not to establish a seed cache for general reforestation.
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4.33d – Exhibit 1
Tabular Representation of Seed Collection Zones and Breeding Zones.
NATIONAL
FOREST
Chippewa
Superior
Chequamegon-Nicolet
Ottawa
Hiawatha
Huron-Manistee
Mark Twain
Shawnee
Hoosier
Wayne
Monongahela
Allegheny
Green Mountain
White Mountain
Finger Lakes
Midewin
DISTRICT
All
LaCroix
Laurentian
Kawishiwi
Gunflint
Tofte
Washburn
Great Divide
Park Falls
Medford
Lakewood
Laona
Eagle Rv-Florence
All
Munising
Manistique-Rapid Rv
St Ignace
Saulte Ste Marie
Cadillac-Manistee
Baldwin-White Cloud
Huron Shores
Mio
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
All
SEED
COLLECTION
ZONE
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
6
7
8
8
9
9
10
11
11
11
12
13
14
14
15
16
BREEDING
ZONE
A
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
D
D
D
D
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/6/2006
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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4.34a – Reforestation Trust Funds (RTRT)
In some cases RTRT funds can be used to pay for seed collection. The restrictions on the use of
these funds is similar to those for appropriated funds. The Regional Silviculturist should be
consulted before using RTRT funds to pay for seed collections.
4.34b – National Forest Vegetation and Watershed Funds (NFVW)
Seed collected for the genetics program must be paid for out appropriated dollars. The
appropriate management code at this time is the National Forest Vegetation and Watershed
Management (NFVW).
4.35 – Preparing for Cone and Seed Collections
1. The first step of cone or seed acquisition is recognizing a need for seed, determining
that the Seed Cache does not have enough appropriate seed to meet this need and deciding to
obtain additional seed. Determine how much seed is needed for a project and how much is
available in the Seed Cache.
If there is not enough seed available to meet the forests needs, it may be possible to buy
genetically appropriate seed from a commercial source, although usually seed needs must be met
by collecting seed.
2. Determine how the cone or seed collection will be funded. This was discussed in
more detail earlier in this document.
If WCF will be used to pay for collection, apply to the J.W. Toumey Nursery Manager
for authorization to spend WCF for seed collection. The application can be a simple electronic
note, but it must include an estimate of the amount of seed to be collected and the estimate of the
cost. Ideally these applications will be sent to the Nursery Manager at the start of the fiscal year
(i.e. at the end of September). They can be sent afterwards, but the later the date the less likely
the chance that WCF funding will be available. If cone or seed collection will be contracted, a
contract must be developed well in advance.
3. Well before cone collection starts you should learn some basic information on the
biology of the species of interest on your Forest.
a. Identify potential parents. Find well stocked stands and find out if they are
producing cones or seed this year.
b. Learn the approximate date when the cones or seed are ripe and how to
recognize ripe or nearly ripe cones or seeds.
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c. Become familiar with the pests that attack the cones or seeds of the species in
question.
4. Figure out which of the various methods of collecting seed will work best for the
species in question on your Forest. Identify the hazards associated with the methods you propose
to use and prepare a job hazard analysis. Determine who will collect the seed. If a contractor will
be used, prepare a contract well in advance.
5. Find out what needs to be done with the cones or seeds after they are collected. Where
will the cones or seeds be stored until they are shipped? Do they have to be cleaned, or
otherwise processed? Who has done this work in the past? Will they be available this year?
6. Cone or seed collections should occur only during good seed years unless seed is
urgently needed. Collecting during good seed years decreases the cost per pound of seed and
increases the genetic diversity of the seed. The cone or seed crop must be monitored to determine
if it is large enough to make collections worthwhile.
7. Monitor the development of the seed crop on potential parents. In most cases,
monitoring of the cone or seed crop starts the spring before collections are planned. With pines,
cones can generally be counted starting in June. During a cone survey you usually stand with
your back to the sun and examine potential parent trees with binoculars. Pines should be
examined again in July or August to determine that cones are abundant and developing normally.
In many cases, cone or seed monitoring can be combined with other trips. Estimate the number
of trees in the planned collection area that have cones or seed and the amount of cones or seed.
Tables in the “Seeds of Woody Plants of the US” (USDA FS 1973) can be used to estimate how
many cones should be picked to meet your seed needs.
8. In many species it is wise to determine if the cone or seed crop is being attacked by
insects. This can often be combined with monitoring the development of the cone or seed crop.
Some insect problems can be recognized because the cones or seeds develop abnormally.
Don’t pick cones that are not properly formed. Some insect damage is not visible, particularly
when it is confined to seeds inside the cones. In pines, identifying this type of insect damage
often requires slicing the cones longitudinally and examining the seeds exposed in the cut faces.
At this point, one can count the number of seeds per cut face and the number of seeds that are
hollow or being eaten by insect larvae. A sample of cones should be examined before picking
them. Cones or fruit should not be picked if a significant portion of the seed is infested with
insects.
9. Seed stores and germinates best when it is collected when it is ripe or nearly ripe.
Cones or seeds should be picked when they are as ripe as possible, but before they are lost to
seed fall or rodents or birds.
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DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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The best way to identify nearly ripe cones or seed varies among species. With conifers
distinguishing traits include cone color, the specific gravity of cones, and the size of the embryo
inside the seed cavity, and the consistency of the endosperm inside the seed.
a. Cone color is generally the least reliable of these characteristics.
b. Determining specific gravity involves placing cones in a graduated cylinder with
fluid (generally water) and measuring the amount of fluid that is displaced when the
cones are floating and submerged. The specific gravity of ripe cones varies from
species to species.
c. To look at the endosperm or embryo development, slice the seed in half. The
endosperm should be the consistency of coconut meat and not milky. The embryo
should fill about 90% of the embryo cavity although this varies from species to
species. Non conifer species are too numerous and variable to describe in this
document.
Two useful references are “Seeds of Woody Plants in the US” (USDA FS 1974) (also
available on the website http://www.nsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/index.html ) and “A Seed Manual for
Ontario” (Creasey 1996). Previous experience with a particular species in the same general area
is very helpful so talk to long term District technicians.
For a few species it will be important to distinguish between old cones or seeds and fresh
material. One example is jack pine. Jack pine cones that are gray or covered with lichens
generally do not contain much seed that is viable.
4.36 – Methods of Cone and Seed Collection
Collecting cones or seeds from large trees can be a difficult and dangerous job. A wide variety of
techniques are available. Some techniques require special training, authorization or equipment.
Job Hazard Analyses should be consulted or prepared before work begins.
4.36a – From the Ground
For some large seeded trees such as oaks, butternut or walnut it may be most expedient to collect
seed from the ground. Small amounts of these large seeds can be collected by hand. If a large
amount of seed is needed, a number of manufacturers make machines that will pick up these
large nuts. In some cases, the first seeds that fall are of poor quality. It may be most efficient to
wait until after seed fall has started to make collections. Cones or seeds that are left on the
ground for extended periods may be collected by animals or contaminated by disease. You may
want to collect seeds from an area several times during the time when seeds are dropping.
4.36b – Using a Pole Pruner
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DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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Seed or cones can be collected from smaller trees using a pole pruner. Generally, these are really
only suitable for collections of relatively small amounts of seed. Do not use a pole pruner that
has a metal handle and do not use pole pruners where accidental contact with an electrical line is
possible.
4.36b – Natural Collection
For some species such as ashes, maples or cherries you can spread tarps under the trees and
collect the seed when it ripens and falls naturally. It may be possible to speed up the seed drop
once the fruit is ripe. In smaller trees this can sometimes be done by beating the seed-bearing
branches with long flexible poles. In larger trees it may be possible to shake the crowns with
ropes that have been placed in the crowns with large sling shots.
4.36d – After Felling
For some species the easiest way to obtain seed or cones from tall trees is to pick it after the trees
have been felled. This can allow large amounts of seed to be collected rapidly with relatively
unskilled labor. Obviously, the drawback of this approach is that the parents that are chosen for
collection will not be available in the future.
Sometimes cones or seed collections can be coordinated with a timber sale. There are a number
of difficulties with this approach.
1. One is that the trees need to be felled when the cones or seed are ripe or nearly ripe. It
may be difficult to convince loggers to fell trees at the optimum time.
2. Another problem is that seed and cone collectors need to enter the site after felling. It
may be difficult to convince a logging contractor to stop operations in an area after the felling.
Another way to collect cones or seed from felled trees is to fell trees specifically for cone or seed
collection. There are a number of difficulties with this approach as well.
1. You must obtain written approval from the appropriate line officer to fell trees.
2. The faller must have the appropriate chainsaw certification.
3. When trees are being felled specifically for seed collection, some people are inclined to
fell as few trees as possible. This will greatly limit the genetic diversity of the collection. It is
better to fell 15 or so trees and use the seed for a longer period of time.
4.36e – Shooting Branches
In many cases the only alternative is to collect seed from standing trees. Very small amounts of
cones can be collected from standing trees by shooting branches out of them. Obviously, there is
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some risk to people in the surrounding area with this practice, particularly in populated areas. All
shooters must be authorized by the Forest Supervisor. All shooters must have special training
and participate in a random drug screening program.
4.36f – Climbing
Larger amounts of cones or seed can be collected from standing trees by climbing them.
Climbing can be dangerous. All climbers must have special training and certification which must
be renewed every 3 years. Climbers must be accompanied by another certified climber and both
require a sizeable amount of equipment.
It may be possible to contract for climbing services or obtain certified climbers from the National
Forests in the West.
4.36g – Mechanical Lift
The fastest way to collect large amounts of seed from large standing trees is with a mechanical
lift. This approach has drawbacks as well.
1. The equipment is expensive to buy or rent.
2. Special training is required to operate the equipment.
3. Some equipment is mounted on large trucks and a Commercial Driver’s License may
be required to operate these trucks on roads.
4. The equipment that is not mounted on trucks does not travel fast enough to move it
long distances.
5. Many lifts can only operate on a limited range of slopes and can not drive over logs
and rocks.
In most cases, mechanical lifts will only be practical in a seed orchard, a developed seed
production area, or along a road.
4.37 – Maintain the Identify of Cones and Seed
Maintenance of the identity of the seed is very important. When the cones or seeds are collected
they should be put in a container and labeled. In most cases, freshly collected cones or seed
should be stored in a cloth or mesh bag that will allow moisture to escape. A label should be
placed inside and outside each bag or other container as soon as the seed is collected.
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DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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Cone Identification Tags (R9 2400-2) should be used for this purpose regardless of whether the
collection consists of seed or cones. These tags are available from J.W. Toumey Nursery. If
Cone Identification Tags are not available, the bags should be tagged with the equivalent
information. The tags should be filled out with indelible ink. Tags should be placed inside and
outside the bag.
The tag should identify the:
1. Species,
2. Name of the person making the collection,
3. Date of the collection
4. Location of the collection. Minimal location information shall include:
a. Forest
b. District
c. Seed Collection Zone.
Additional information could include:
a. Latitude and Longitude - determined with a GPS receiver,
b. Legal Description of the collection area, or
c. Stand and Compartment Number
The tag should describe the:
1. Type of collection (general, select stand, seed production area or seed orchard).
2. Number of trees from which the seed was collected.
This information and additional details should be maintained at the District as well. When the
seed arrives at the nursery it will be assigned a seed lot number. This number should be recorded
at the District along with the information about the seed or cone collection. This will make it
possible for a District employee to determine which seedlots in the Seed Cache are most
appropriate for their planting needs.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/6/2006
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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4.38 – Care of Cones and Seed After Collection
All cones or seeds should be placed in a container at the point where it is collected. The type of
container that should be used will vary depending on the species, but in most cases they should
be placed in a burlap bag or some other container that allows air to circulate through the cones or
seeds. Air circulation allows moisture to escape. Some cones and seeds are still physiologically
active at collection and generate heat. Air circulation can also help dissipate some of this heat.
Twigs and other large trash should be removed from the seed before it is bagged.
Try to keep green needles out of the bags of cones because they can also lead to high
temperatures.
Most bags of cones should only be filled halfway to allow room for the cones to open. However,
burlap bags of jack pine which are serotinous can be filled.
Do not use bags with a mesh that is large enough for the seeds to fall out if the cones will open.
Cones should be collected when they are dry. If this is not possible, as soon as they arrive at a
temporary storage area they should be removed from the containers, allowed to dry out, and
returned to the containers.
Cones can be stored at the District for a short while after collection. However, they must be
stored in a cool, shaded area and placed on racks that allow good air circulation through and
between the bags. Ensure the cones will not be eaten by rodents or other animals while they are
being stored. Maintenance of seedlot labels during this process is essential.
Cones will have to be shipped to a place where the seed can be extracted. At this time the Oconto
River Seed Orchard (ORSO) extracts most of the seed from pines for the Lake States National
Forests. ORSO should be contacted prior to shipping, as they have a limited capacity to do this
type of work.
Forests outside the Lake States should look for an extractory that is closer than ORSO. Ensure
the extractory has experience with your species, cleans previous seedlots from their equipment
before processing your cones, and keeps your seedlots separate from each other.
Procedures for handling non-conifers after collection vary greatly. The procedures for collecting,
storing and shipping them vary greatly and should be determined ahead of time. For example,
ash seed should be collected after it has dried and allowed to continue to dry while acorns should
be only be surface dried and stored under conditions that maintain a high moisture content.
Seeds of fleshy-fruited species (e.g. black cherry or mountain-ash) will start to decompose soon
after they are picked. They should not be allowed to heat up, decompose or dry out. It is best to
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ship them to the J.W. Toumey Nursery or the place where the seed will be cleaned immediately
after collection. If this is not possible, store the seed in plastic bags in cold water until they can
be shipped.
Large nuts (e.g. oaks, walnut or butternut) should be shipped to the J.W. Toumey Nursery or the
place where the seed will be cleaned shortly after it is collected. If this is not possible, they
should be kept in a cool shady area. These large nuts should be spread out in layers that are no
more than several nuts deep.
Seeds with samaras (e.g. maples, ash or elms) should be shipped to J.W. Toumey Nursery or the
place where the seed will be cleaned shortly after they are collected. If this is not possible, they
should be stored in a cool shady area. Spread them out in shallow trays so the air can move
through them. Be sure the wind does not blow them away or mix seedlots. If in doubt call the
J.W. Toumey Nursery or the place where the seed will be cleaned for instructions.
The J.W. Toumey Nursery or the place where the seed will be cleaned should be contacted prior
to shipment, ensure shipments do not arrive on a weekend, on Friday or the day before a holiday.