What is the best lodgepole pine seed origin for Ireland? Results of 30 years of provenance research.

Abstract

Because of its large natural range, lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) provides a wide range of provenances for use on a range of sites. Unfortunately no one provenance of lodgepole pine combines good stem wood production with acceptable stem form. For this reason compromises must be accepted. South Coastal types provide rapid volume production with poor stem form, while North Coastal types provide good stem form with reduced volume production. Natural hybrids between coastal and interior provenances from the lower Skeena River in British Columbia and artificial interprovenance hybrids between South Coastal and Skeena River sources combine good stem form with acceptable wood production rates. Both are available in commercial quantities either from registered seed stands (lower Skeena River material) or seed orchards (interprovenance hybrids). Provenance recommendations for specific site types and end uses are provided.