Vol. 22

Title:
COMPATIBLE UNDERSTOCK IN FORESTRY

Author:
Bill Webb

pp: 139-141

Abstract:
Weyerhaeuser Company has embarked upon a program of tree improvement aimed at increasing wood yield per acre on its lands through forest tree breeding. In a classic breeding program this means choosing a number of superior trees of seed-bearing age within our wild stands of timber, and genetically duplicating them by grafting to develop seed orchards designed to provide seed improved over that now collected from average trees in the wild. These seed orchards must produce consistently over a period of 30 years or more in order to meet reforestation schedules that call for planting new trees within one year of logging.

As you are aware, certain of our major tree species, notably Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) are inconsistent grafters, showing strong clonal variation in stock-scion compatibility.

Incompatibility not only kills a number of our grafts, but will obviously interrupt and delay seed production unless steps are taken to overcome or circumvent it. If we

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