2409.26f,100
Page 1 of 4
FSH 2409.26f - SEED HANDBOOK
R2 AMDNEMDNT 2409.26f-93-1
EFFECTIVE 7/15/93
CHAPTER 100 - SEED NEEDS
Contents
110
120
TEN-YEAR SEED PLAN
SEEDBANK INVENTORY
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26f-93-1
EFFECTIVE 6/15/93
2409.26f,100
Page 2 of 4
Most woody plant species produce good seed crops every 2 to 10 years depending
upon species, genetic variation within species, climatic variables and geographic
origin. Because of these irregularities in seed crop production, it is necessary to
maintain a supply of seed to meet needs between good seed crops. Consequently,
Region 2 will maintain an adequate (up to 10 years) supply of seed for each species
required to meet artificial revegetation needs.
110 - TEN-YEAR SEED PLAN. Each Forest should develop and implement a TenYear Seed plan. This plan will consist of two parts: (1) minimum seed needs, and
(2) optimum seed needs. (exhibit 01).
Minimum seed needs are the amounts of seed required to adequately stock those
acres in need of artificial revegetation with tree or shrub species. The number of
seedlings required for planting can be determined by multiplying the number of
acres to be planted by the number of seedlings to plant per acre. By utilizing the
tree seedling production data included in Exhibit 2, estimates of the amounts of
seed required to plant these acres can be determined.
Seeds of Woody Plants in the United States (USDA Forest Service 1974) contains
information that will aid in determining seed needs for species not included in
exhibit 02.
The seedling production data in exhibit 02 are averages for several years production
at the Bessey and Mt. Sopris Nurseries. Considerable variation in production
efficiency exists within species. The magnitude of this variation is affected by
several variables including genetic quality of seed, geographic origin (seed zone and
elevation) of seed source, year of seed collection, seed collection and handling
methods, and nursery/greenhouse location production techniques, and climatic
variables during seedling production.
Optimum seed needs include minimum seed needs plus an amount of seed needed
to revegetate 100 acres that might result from natural disasters such as fire, wind,
insect, or disease attack.
A ten-year supply of seed in the Regional seedbank is not necessary for all species.
For species such as lodgepole pine and several shrub species which produce medium
to heavy seed crops every 2 to 3 years, a 4 to 5 year supply of seed in the seedbank
should be adequate.
Cones shipped to the Bessey Nursery for extraction will be accepted only if need for
the seed is included in the Ten-Year Seed plan.
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26f-93-1
EFFECTIVE 6/15/93
2409.26f,100
Page 3 of 4
110 - Exhibit 01
TEN-YEAR SEED PLAN
Forest
Species
Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison
Pinus
contorta
Years 1983-1992
Seed
Zone
243
486
Elevation
ft.
Ranger District
090
Cebolla
Seedlings
Seed Needs
Acres to Trees per Required Minimum Optimum
Plant
Acre
M
1b
1b
0
2.25
095
100
400
40
1.75
4.00
100
200
300
60
2.75
4.50
100
4.50
10.75
Zone Total
300
Cebolla
50
400
20
1.00
Taylor River
50
600
30
1.25
Cebolla
50
400
20
1.00
Taylor River
300
600
180
8.00
Cebolla
50
400
20
1.00
Taylor River
275
600
165
7.25
1050
Zone Total
775
435
19.50
26.25
SPECIES TOTAL
1075
535
24.00
37.00
090
095
100
4.50
11.25
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26f-93-1
EFFECTIVE 6/15/93
2409.26f,100
Page 4 of 4
110 - Exhibit 02
SEEDLING PRODUCTION
(Shippable seedlings/kg or lb of Seed)
Shippable Seedlings
lb/seed
kg seed
Species
BAREROOT
(Bessy Nursery)
Abies concolor
1,500
3,300
Pinus contorta
32,000
70,900
3,400
7,500
10,500
23,100
Picea engelmannii
41,700
92,000
Pinus contorta
32,700
72,000
5,000
11,000
12,200
27,000
Pinus ponderosa
Pseudotsuga menziesii
CONTAINER 1/
(Mt. Sopris Nursery)
Pinus ponderosa
Pseudotsuga menziesii
1/ Based on Mt. Sopris Nursery greenhouse production.
120 - SEEDBANK INVENTORY. Seedbank inventories at the end of the FY are
included in the annual nursery report for the Bessey Nurseries. If seed has been
added to the inventory collected since the end of the previous FY, copies of updated
inventories can be obtained from the Bessey Nursery.
Current needs for seed collection can be determined by utilizing the Ten-Year Seed
Plan and the current seedbank inventory. Seed that is needed, but not in the
seedbank inventory will have to be collected. Plans can then be developed for
needed seed collection during good seed years.