2409.26g,50
Page 1 of 4
FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
DENVER, CO
FSH 2409.26g - TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
Region 2 Amendment No. 2409.26-96-13
Effective July 5, 1996
POSTING NOTICE: Amendments are numbered consecutively by Handbook
number and calendar year. Post by document name. Remove entire document and
replace with this amendment. Retain this transmittal as the first page of this
document. The last amendment to this Handbook was Amendment 2409.26g-96-12
to 2409.26g,50, Contents.
Document Name
Superseded New
(Number of Pages)
2409.26g,50
Digest:
50 - This is a technical amendment to add an omitted exhibit.
ELIZABETH ESTILL
Regional Forester
4
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26g-96-13
EFFECTIVE 7/5/96
2409.26g,50
Page 2 of 4
FSH 2409.26g - TREE IMPROVEMENT HANDBOOK
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26g-96-13
EFFECTIVE 7/5/96
CHAPTER 50 - SEED STANDS
In general, most coniferous species produce good seed crops every 2 to 10 years.
Because of this irregularity of good seed crop production it is necessary to maintain
an adequate supply of seed to meet artificial reforestation needs between good seed
crop years. To meet long-term reforestation needs in Region 2 it is necessary to
maintain a supply of seed (FSM 2474) from each seed zone for species needed to
meet artificial reforestation needs.
Within designated seed zones, seed should be collected from seedbearing stands
that are judged to be better-than-average quality (seed stands). These stands should
be located on sites that are representative of future planting areas. Potential seed
stands can be identified using Stage II inventory, sale preparation information,
stand and compartment data, and personal knowledge. Candidate stands must be
visited and evaluated for growth, quality, and potential seed production (FSH
2409.26f, R-2 Seed Handbooks).
Seed for Forest Service use shall be collected only from areas that have been
approved and designated as suitable sources of seed. These designated areas will be
either seed collection stands, seed production areas, or seed orchards. Within
approved collection areas seed should be collected only from trees exhibiting above
average growth and quality.
51 - SEED COLLECTION STANDS. Seed collection stands are seed bearing stands
exhibiting better-than-average growth and quality, that are designated for repeated
seed collection. No special cultural treatments to improve quality of parent seed
trees or to enhance seed production are given to these stands. They are regarded as
interim seed sources until sufficient seed can be harvested from selected superior
parent trees, seed production areas, or seed orchards.
52 - SELECTION OF SEED COLLECTION STANDS. The following guidelines
have been prepared for selection and maintenance of seed collection stands. They
are only general guidelines, and establishment and maintenance of each individual
seed collection stand must be tailored to fit the specific set of circumstances for that
stand.
52.1 - Number Required. One per planted species per seed zone and elevational
band within each seed zone.
52.2 - Desirable Stand Criteria. The following criteria should be met in selection
and designation of seed collection stands.
1. Better-than-average height and diameter growth for the site and stocking
class.
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26g-96-13
EFFECTIVE 7/5/96
2409.26g,50
Page 3 of 4
2. Young, 20 to 80-year-old, stands are preferred. Stands that are younger or
older are often difficult to collect seed from.
3. Majority of trees (minimum of 75 percent) should exhibit desirable physical
characteristics (phenotypes).
4. Stands should have no serious pest incidence.
5. Easily accessible from a road or trail.
6. Exhibit evidence of past and current seed production.
7. Minimum size of 5 acres.
8. Windthrow risk must be low.
52.3 - Marking and Documentation. The boundaries of each seed collection stand
shall be permanently marked for easy identification. The stands shall then be
documented (Seed Stand Record) in District, Forest, and Region files and reserved
from normal timber harvest until they are no longer needed.
52.4 - Collection of Seed. Seed can be collected in seed collection stands from
standing trees, felled trees, or squirrel caches (FSH 2409.26F, Seed Handbook).
Collection of seed from standing trees is the most desirable method of collection
because seed is collected from known trees and repeated collections can be made
from these individuals. Seed should be collected from a minimum of 20 individual
trees well distributed throughout the stand to maintain a broad genetic base.
53 - SEED PRODUCTION AREAS. Seed production areas are seed bearing stands
exhibiting better-than-average growth and quality that are designated for repeated
seed collection, and treated to enhance quality and quantity of seed produced.
Seed collection stands having potential for increased seed production should be
converted to seed production areas. Fifty to 100 of the best quality dominants and
co-dominants per acre are selected and identified as potential final seed parents.
Seed parents should exhibit better-than-average volume production in comparison
to surrounding trees of the same species and age class. They should have a
minimum of 30 percent good, vigorous live crown. To provide for maintenance of a
broad genetic base, selected parent trees should be well distributed throughout the
stand. To ensure that seed collected in a seed production area is from good quality
trees only, the stand should be rogued (thinned) to remove the less desirable trees
(phenotypes). This roguing process is normally accomplished through gradual
removal of the poorer phenotypes in several repeated thinnings. After initial
removal of the poorest phenotypes, successive thinnings should take spacing of the
final parent seed trees into account.
Final spacing in most seed production areas should range from 20 and 30 feet
between selected trees depending upon age of stand, number of selected trees per
acre, and diameter of seed trees. For example, in ponderosa pine, cone crop size is
directly related to stem diameter, and large cone crops normally are not produced
until d.b.h. has reached 12 inches. At this diameter crop trees should be spaced
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26g-96-13
EFFECTIVE 7/5/96
2409.26g,50
Page 4 of 4
about 30 feet apart to provide full exposure of the crown to sunlight. At a 30x30
foot spacing there will be approximately 50 crop trees per acre. For spruce and
Douglas-fir, spacing between crop trees should be between 20 and 30 feet.
Seed production areas in lodgepole pine can be of considerably younger age (20 year
plus) than in ponderosa pine, Engelmann spruce, or Douglas-fir. Also, spacing
between crop trees in lodgepole pine may be as low as 15-20 feet.
In addition to roguing within the seed production area, a buffer zone, 300-600 feet
wide, surrounding the entire area should also be rogued to minimize pollination by
undesirable trees. Roguing can be accomplished through small, special sales.
Other cultural treatments such as fertilization, pruning, and treatment with
chemicals may be applied to seed production areas to stimulate cone and seed
production.
All seed production areas and most seed collection stands should be protected
against damaging agents such as fire, wind, insects and diseases.
54 - SEED STAND RECORD. After each seed collection stand and/or seed
production area has been identified, a Seed Stand Record for each stand shall be
completed. The original of each record shall be sent to Timber Management in the
RO. Copies should be retained in District and SO files. Each stand nominated for
seed stand status will be reviewed, approved, and assigned an identification
number by the Region. Exhibit 1 is an example of a completed Seed Stand Record.
Instructions for completing the record are included on the back of the record.
55 - RESPONSIBILITIES. District Rangers are responsible for collection of seed
and protection of seed stands.
Forest personnel are responsible for selecting and nominating candidate stands and
for maintaining stand records.
The Regional Office is responsible for certification of seed collection stands and
approval of seed production areas.