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FSH 2409.26f - SEED HANDBOOK
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26f-93-1
EFFECTIVE 6/15/93
CHAPTER 200 - SEED SOURCE AND IDENTITY CONTROL
Contents
210
SEED COLLECTION ZONES
220
SOUTHWESTERN PONDEROSA PINE
230
SEED SOURCES
240
IDENTIFICATION CODES
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To meet management objectives, use of source-identified seed from the proper origin
is required. Through time, plant species have developed in response to local
environmental variables including soils, temperature and precipitation regimes,
fire, insects, and diseases. Consequently, local seed is usually best adapted to local
environments. In most instances, only seed of local origin will be used. In
situations where research and/or administrative studies have shown that seed
sources of nonlocal origin will perform better than local seed sources, seed of proven,
nonlocal origin can be used.
Genetic quality of seed is also a very important criterion to be evaluated in selection
of seed source. Inferior seed can result in poor seed germination, poor seedling
survival and considerable potential growth loss. Consequently, management costs
can increase substantially.
Use of the best seed source available will help ensure successful stand
establishment with the best growth possible.
210 - SEED COLLECTION ZONES. Tree and shrub species in Region 2 grow under
a wide range of environmental variables. Seed collection zones are geographic
subdivisions within the Region encompassing areas of similar environmental
conditions. The purpose of zoning is to ensure use of seed compatible with the
environment in which it is to be grown.
Region 2 has been zoned for tree and shrub seed collection. Copies of seed zone
maps for Colorado (R2-2470-15a), Wyoming (R2-2470-15b), and South Dakota (R22470-15c), can be obtained from Renewable Resources in the Regional Office. Seed
zone maps for individual Forests are included in exhibit 01.
Seed zone maps for the Great Plains states are included in USDA Forest Service
Research paper RM-150 (Cunningham 1975).
These zones were developed by subdividing each state into geographic areas
utilizing soil, climate and land use data. These areas were further subdivided into
seed collection zones by super-imposing climatic data. In some instances zone
boundaries were adjusted to conform to recognizable local land features such as
lakes, rivers, and highways.
Seed transfer rules for Region 2 are based on research conducted outside the
Region. Seed transfer rules for the Region fall into three categories: intrazonal,
interzonal, and elevational.
Intrazonal (within seed zones): Seed movement within seed zones will be limited to
a maximum of 1 o of latitude of longitude from seed origin. Exceptions must be
approved by the Regional Forester.
Interzonal (between seed zones): Seed will be used in the same seed zone in which
it is collected. Movement of seed between seed zones must be approved by the
Regional Forester.
Elevational: Within a seed collection zone, seed can be moved a maximum distance
elevationally and this distance varies by species as follows:
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26f-93-1
FFECTIVE 6/15/93
Species
Psuedotsuga menziesii
Pinus contorta
Pinus ponderosa
Picea engelmannii
Other species
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Maximum Elevational Movement
from Seed Origin
+
+
+
+
+
300 feet
350 feet
500 feet
500 feet
500 feet
Exceptions to these maximum elevational movement guides must be approved by
the Regional Forester.
220 - SOUTHWESTERN PONDEROSA PINE. An expert system has been
developed for determining compatible seed-transfer locations for Southwestern
ponderosa pine on the Uncompahgre Plateau and San Juan NF. This program was
developed by the Intermountain Station at Moscow, Idaho, and is based on results
of seed transfer research for ponderosa pine in the Upper Colorado River Basin. To
use this system, the user must provide the necessary geographic information
(latitude, longitude, and elevation) describing the location of the target stand to
planted or seeded; then the system provides the user with a list of ecologically
compatible areas where seed is collected or seedlings that will be planted will likely
be adapted. This Expert System for Seed Transfer of Ponderosa Pine on the
Colorado Plateau will be used to determine the proper seed source to use for all
ponderosa pine seeding and planting projects on the Uncompahgre Plateau and San
Juan NF. This program will be available in the SO on the Grand Mesa,
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison NF's and San Juan NF.
230 - SEED SOURCES. Within the seed zones and elevational subdivisions,
seed should be collected only from stands or individual trees exhibiting desirable
growth and form, little or no pest damage. All seed collected for use on National
Forests in Region 2 should be from one of the following seed sources:
1. Designated Seed Areas (DSA). A designated seed area consists of seed
producing better-than-average stands that are designated for seed collection. These
areas may change annually, or as needed, depending upon seed crop availability
and needs. Seed should be collected from a minimum of 20 plants that are well
distributed throughout the seed area to ensure maintenance of a broad genetic base.
Designated seed areas meet tree improvement intensity level 1 criteria. (See Tree
Improvement Program - Rocky Mountain Region, Jeffers, 1987).
2. Seed Collection Stands (SCS). A seed collection stand is a group or stand of
trees within a designated seed collection zone that is better-than-average in
appearance and is used for repeated seed collection. These stands are reserved from
timber harvest and, except for routine thinning, receive only minor protection or
care. Seed collection stands meet tree improvement intensity level 2 criteria.
3. Seed Production Areas (SPA). A seed production area is a phenotypically
superior stand of trees that is generally upgraded by removal of undesirable trees
and treated for early and abundant seed production. When seed production areas
are established, seed should be collected from these sources instead of untreated
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areas. The majority of seed collected in Region 2 will be from seed production areas.
These areas meet tree improvement intensity level 3 criteria.
4. Superior Trees (ST). Superior trees are better-than-average (superior
phenotype) appearing trees in comparison with trees of the same species and age (+
10 years) growing on the same site within 100 feet of the superior tree. Superior
trees may occur in, but are not restricted to, designated seed areas, seed collection
stands, or seed production areas. They will be tested for their genetic quality
(genotype) in clonal tests, open-pollinated progeny tests, or full-sib progeny tests.
Because superior trees are considered as special cases of seed production areas with
a genetic base of 1, superior trees meet tree improvement intensity level 3 criteria.
240-IDENTIFICATION CODES. Alpha-numeric codes will be used to identify all
plant materials used in Region 2.
241 - PLANT MATERIAL IDENTITY CODE. All plant reproductive materials
(seed, seedlings, wildings, and cuttings) collected and used for revegetation projects
on National Forests are to be source-identified (FSM 2475.23). Source identity of all
tree, shrub, and other plant reproductive materials must be maintained from time
of collection through final use in revegetation projects including storage, nursery
and greenhouse production, planting records, and site records.
A 12-digit alpha/numeric code will be used to identify all plant reproductive
materials. This identity code will be used in RMRIS (Rocky Mountain Resource
Information System) to identify plant materials (seed, seedlings, cuttings) used and
in NMIS (Nursery Management Information System) at the Bessey Nursery.
The Plant Material Identity Code (PMIC) consists of two alpha and ten numeric
characters arranged in the following sequence:
Plant Material Identity Code
Characters
_ _ : _ _ : _ _ _ : _ _ _ : _ _
Sequence
1
2
3
4
5
Example
P P
0 4
2 4 7
0 8 0
9 2
Sequence:
1. Species. The first two characters in the PMIC consists of two alpha
characters which identify the species. They are abbreviations for the common name
of the species. Except when used in the PMIC, species codes will consist of four- or
five-digit alpha/numeric codes for species listed in the National List of Scientific
Plant Names (NLSPL), NLSPL and PMIC species codes to be used in Region 2 are
included in exhibit 01. Example: PP for ponderosa pine.
2. Forest. Use assigned two digit Forest codes. Example: 04 for Grand MesaUncompahgre and Gunnison NF's.
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3. Seed Zone. Use the three-digit numeric code for the seed zone in which
material was collected (Section 210). Example: 247 for Seed Zone 247.
the
4. Elevation. Use a three-digit numeric code for elevation of the collection area,
to the nearest 100 feet. If the collection area covers a range of elevation, use the
mid-elevation of the seed collection area. Examples: 113 for elevation 11,300 feet,
080 for elevation 8,000 feet.
5. Year of Collection. Use a two-digit numeric code to indicate the calendar
year of collection. Example: 92 for calendar year 1992.
242 - Superior Tree Code. Individual superior trees selected on a National Forest
for use in the Tree Improvement Program are assigned local (Ranger District or
Forest) tree numbers by Forest personnel at time of superior tree selection. These
local numbers should be assigned in consecutive order, beginning with 1, for each
tree species. If local numbers are assigned on a Forest basis, a Forest register of
local tree numbers must be kept to avoid duplication of numbers. The local tree
number assigned is recorded on the Superior Tree Record (R2-2470-23) prepared for
each selected tree, under Tree No.
Each superior tree approved for inclusion in the Tree Improvement Program is also
assigned a Regional accession number. This number is assigned by the Regional
Geneticist and is recorded on the Superior Tree Record under Accession No.
Superior trees, approved by the Regional Geneticist, are identified in the field with
the local assigned tree number and the assigned Regional accession number.
All seed collected from individual superior trees for use in general reforestation or
tree improvement projects will be identified from time of collection through final use
on all records, by the Regional accession number.
Each superior tree seedlot will be identified by an alpha (ST) and numeric (superior
tree accession number) code. For example: ST-18 identifies a seedlot from superior
tree 18.
R2 AMENDMENT 2409.26f-93-1
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241 - Exhibit 01
Species Codes
NLSPL
Code
PMIC
Code
Abco
Abla
Ablaa
Acgi
Acgl
Acne
Acsa2
Amal
Bepa
Caar
Cemo2
Ceoc
Ceca4
Cost
Coam
Coac
Elan
Elum
Frpe
Gltr
Juni
Jumo
Jusc2
Juvi
Loma
Lota
Maba
Pice
Pienl
Pigl
Pipu
Pial
Piar
Piba
Pica
Pied
Pifl2
Pini
Pipo
Pist3
Pisy
W
SF
CF
AM
RM
BE
SM
SB
PB
CA
MM
HB
RB
RD
AH
PC
RO
AO
GA
HL
BW
OJ
RJ
ER
AH
TH
SC
HS
ES
WS
BS
WP
BP
JP
LP
PY
PF
AP
PP
SW
SP
Genus species variety
Common Name
Abies concolor
Abies lasiocarpa
Abies lasiocarpa v. arizonica
Acer ginnala
Acer glabru
Acer negundo
Acer saccharinum
Amelanchier alnifolia
Betula papyrifera
Caragana arborescens
Cerocarpus montanus
Celtis occidentalis
Cercis canadensis
Cornus stolonifera
Corylus americana
Cotoneaster acutifolia
Elaeagnus angustifolia
Elaeagnus umbellata
Fraxinum pennsylvanica
Gleditsia triacanthos
Juglans nigra
Juniperus monosperma
Juniperus scopulorum
Juniperus virginiana
Lonicera maackiii
Lonicera tatarica
Malus baccata
Picea X
Picea engelmannii
Picea glauc
Picea pungens
Pinus albicaulis
Pinus aristata
Pinus banksiana
Pinus contorta
Pinus edulis
Pinus flexilis
Pinus nigra
Pinus ponderosa
Pinus strobiformis
Pinus sylvestris
White Fir
Subalpine Fir
Corkbark Fir
Amur Maple
Rocky Mountain Maple
Boxelder
Silver Maple
Serviceberry
Paper Birch
Siberian Peashrub
Mountain Mahogany
Hackberry
Redbud
Red-Osier Dogwood
American Hazel
Peking Cotoneaster
Russian Olive
Autumn Olive
Green Ash
Honey Locust
Black Walnut
One-seeded Juniper
Rocky Mountain Juniper
Eastern Red Cedar
Amur Honeysuckle
Tatarian Honeysuckle
Siberian Crab Apple
Hybrid Spruce
Engelmann Spruce
White Spruce
Blue Spruce
Whitebark Pine
Bristlecone Pine
Jack Pine
Lodgepole Pine
Pinyon Pine
Limber Pine
Austrian Pine
Ponderosa Pine
Southwestern White Pine
Scots Pine
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241 - Exhibit 01--Continued
Species Codes
NLSPL
Code
Ploc
Popu
Poac
Poan
Podel
Posa
Pram
Prbe
Prfr
Prpu
Prse
Prto
Prvi
Psme
Quga
Quma
Quru
Rhar
Rhtr
Romu
Rowo
Saalv
Saam
Saca
Sapu
Shar
Syam
Syvu
Ulpa
Ulpu
PMIC
Code
AS
HP
LC
NC
EC
PC
PA
BC
MC
SC
CB
NC
CC
DF
GO
BO
OR
FS
SS
MR
WR
GW
PW
EA
RE
SB
KL
CL
CE
SE
Genus species variety
Common Name
Platanus occidentalis
Populus X
Populus acuminata
Populus angustiifolia
Populus deltoides
Populus sargentii
Prunus americana
Prunus besseyi
Prunus fruiticosa
Prunus pumila
Prunus serotina
Prunus tomentosa
Prunus virginiana
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Quercus gambelii
Quercus macrocarpa
Quercus rubra
Rhus aromatica
Rhus trilobata
Rosa multiflora
Rosa woodsii
Salix alba v. vitellina
Salix amygdaloides
Sambucus canadensis
Sambucus pubens
Shepherdia argentea
Ayringa amurensis
Syringa vulgaris
Ulmus parvifolia
Ulmus pumila
American Sycamore
Hybrid Poplar
Lanceleaf Cottonwood
Narrowleaf Cottonwood
Eastern Cottonwood
Plains Cottonwood
American Plum
Bessey Cherry
Mongolian Cherry
Sand Cherry
Black Cherry
Nanking Cherry
Common Chokecherry
Douglas-fir
Gambel Oak
Bur Oak
Red Oak
Fragrant Sumac
Skunkbush Sumac
Multiflora Rosa
Woods Rose
Golden Willow
Peachleaf Willow
American Elder
Red Elder
Silver Buffaloberry
Korean Lilac
Common Lilac
Chinese Elm
Siberian Elm