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Integrated research activitiesfor supply of improved larch to tree planting: tree improvement, fl oral biology and nursery production

Field Trip GuideSaint-Michel-des-Saints and Quebec City, September 16-21, 2007

LARIX 2007: International Symposium of the IUFRO Working Group S2.02.07 (Larch Breeding and Genetic Resources)

Sched

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S2.02.07:Integrated R

research Activities for Supply of Im

proved Larch to Tree Planting: Tree Im

provement, Floral B

iology and Nursery P

roduction

Sund

ay Sep

t. 16M

ond

ay Sep

t. 17Tuesd

ay Sep

t. 18W

ednesd

ay Sep

t. 19T

hursday S

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Frid

ay Sep

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AM

12h00 –1

st bus d

eparture :

Montréal ( P.E

.Trudeau

Airp

ort ) toS

aint-Michel-d

es-Saints

(2h30 d

rive)

Lanaudière Field

Trip −

Sto

p #1

Typical S

ugar Map

le −

Yellow B

irch Stand

Sto

p #2

Tamarack N

atural Stand

(Larix laricina)

Berthierville and

B

atiscan Field Trip

−

Sto

p #1

Berthier P

rovincial N

ursery – MR

NF

• Indoor O

rchard• C

ontrolled

Pollination

• Seed

Treatment

Centre

IUFR

O and

PC

C/C

PC

4 Invited S

peakers

(Joint Session w

ith the P

oplar C

ouncil of C

anada)

(Québ

ec City

Convention C

entre)

IUFR

OG

enetics

Tree Breed

ing

Silviculture of Larch

and W

ood

Transformation I and

II

(Québ

ec City

Convention C

entre)

Two

op

tions:

1)Tree Imp

rovement

Program

s at the DR

F (D

uchesnay)

2) Saint-M

odeste

Provincial N

ursery and

Prop

agation C

entre- MR

NF

• (full day)

(Lunch on yo

ur ow

n)(P

rovid

ed o

n tour)

(Pro

vided

on to

ur)(P

rovid

ed at the

Co

nvention C

entre)(P

rovid

ed at the

Co

nvention C

entre)

(Pro

vided

at D

uchesnay or S

aint-M

od

este)

PM

18h00 –2

nd bus d

eparture:

Montréal ( P.E

.Trudeau

Airp

ort) toS

aint-Michel-d

es-Saints

(2h30 d

rive)

Sto

p #3

Larch Op

erational P

lantation (2000)

Sto

p #4

Larch Progeny Test and

P

lantation (2001)

Sto

p #2

Larix kaemp

feri Seed

Orchard

− B

atiscan

Arrival in Q

uébec C

ity ap

p. 17:30

IUFR

OP

lenary Session:

General Top

ics on Larch

Poster S

ession

(Québ

ec City

Convention C

entre)

IUFR

OTree B

reeding II

Nursery P

roduction

and Floral B

iology

(Québ

ec City

Convention C

entre)

2) Saint-M

odeste :

• Larch Cutting

Prop

agation • W

hite Sp

ruce S

omatic

Em

bryogenesis

End

of Sym

posium

(Dinner – P

ackage,

Aub

erge d

u Lac Taureau)

(Dinner – P

ackage,

Aub

erge d

u Lac Taureau)

(Dinner o

n your o

wn,

Québ

ec City)

(Dinner o

n your o

wn,

Québ

ec City)

Evening

Registration and

Ice breaker

Working G

roup

S2.02.07

Business M

eeting

IUFR

O et C

PC

/PC

CB

anquet p

rovided

at the Q

uébec C

ity C

onvention Centre

(Aub

erge du Lac Taureau)

(Aub

erge du Lac Taureau)

(Lodging in Q

uébec C

ity)(Lod

ging in Québ

ec City)

(Lodging in Q

uébec C

ity)

Integrated research activitiesfor supply of improved larch to tree planting: tree improvement, fl oral biology and nursery productionLARIX 2007: International Symposium of the IUFRO Working Group S2.02.07 (Larch Breeding and Genetic Resources)

Field Trip GuideSaint-Michel-des-Saints and Quebec City, September 16-21, 2007

The text of this publication can be quoted giving reference. Its printing is also restricted. A PDF fi le is available on the Carrefour Web Site.

Carrefour de la recherche forestière Web Site: http://www.mrn.gouv.qc.ca/carrefour/english/index.asp

Cette publication est aussi disponible en français, sur demande.

Editors:Pierre Bélanger, Martin Perron, Pierre Périnet and Mireille Desponts

Design:Maripierre Jalbert

Layout: Jessica Groleau and Maripierre Jalbert

Maps:Jean Noël, otherwise as indicated

Photos:

1-2. Gaston Lapointe3. Jean-Philippe Mottard4. François Caron5. Denise Tousignant6. Patrick LemayRear cover: Gaston Lapointe

Publisher:Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du QuébecDirection de la recherche forestière2700, rue Einstein, Québec, Québec Canada G1P 3W8Telephone: 418-643-7994 Fax: 418- 643-2165Email: [email protected] Site: www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/forets/connaissances/recherche

© Gouvernement du QuébecMinistère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, 2007

ISBN: 978-2-550-50504-4ISBN(PDF): 978-2-550-50505-1

12

3 4

56

iii

Table des matières

Schedule of the Symposium ..........................................................................................................................................c2

List of Contributors ........................................................................................................................................................ iv

A word from the organizers ..............................................................................................................................................1

Acknowledgments ...........................................................................................................................................................2

Thanks to our sponsors! ...................................................................................................................................................3

Brief Overview of Canada’s Forests .................................................................................................................................4

Québec—Land of Forests ................................................................................................................................................5

Larch Tree Improvement in Québec by the MRNF ..........................................................................................................7

Seed and Forest Plant Production in Québec ..................................................................................................................9

Day 1 − September 17, Stops 1, 2, 3, 4, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsLanaudière Administrative Region ..................................................................................................................................11

Day 1 − September 17, Stop 1, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsA typical sugar maple/yellow birch stand.......................................................................................................................13

Day 1 − September 17, Stop 2, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsA natural stand of Larix laricina ......................................................................................................................................17

Day 1 − September 17, Stop 3, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsOperational plantation of Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd., Lac au Piège sector ..........................................................................19

Day 1 − September 17, Stop 4, Saint-Michel-des-Saints Progeny test of European larch and hybrid larch in Brassard Township (BRA42801) ...................................................23

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 1, BerthierLanaudière Administrative RegionStop 2. BatiscanMauricie Administrative Region ......................................................................................................................................27

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 1, Berthier Berthier Station ..............................................................................................................................................................29

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 2, BatiscanPart 1. Japanese Larch Seed Orchard ...........................................................................................................................33

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 2, BatiscanPart 2. Pollen harvesting outdoors by bagging ..............................................................................................................37

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1, 2, 3, 4, DuchesnayOption 1. Centre d’expérimentation et de greffage de Duchesnay Capital City Administrative Region .......................41

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, Duchesnay Black spruce and jack pine tree improvement programs in Québec .......................................................................43

Day 5 − September 21, Stop 1-4, Duchesnay Norway Spruce in Québec .......................................................................................................................................45

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, Duchesnay The white spruce tree improvement program in Québec ........................................................................................47

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, Duchesnay Managing second-generation seed orchards and integration of somatic embryogenesis in orchard management................................................................................................49

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1, 2, 3, 4, Saint-ModesteOption 2. Saint-Modeste NurseryLower St. Lawrence Administrative Region ..............................................................51

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, Saint-Modeste Saint-Modeste Nursery ............................................................................................................................................53

Larix 2007 – International Symposium of the IUFRO Working Group S2.02.07

List of Contributors

Pierre BélangerDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Michèle BettezDirection générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Alain BonneauDirection générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Brigitte BlaisDirection générale régionale de Mauricie-Centre-du-Québec, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Canada

Fabienne ColasDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Mireille Desponts Direction de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

André DionEmballages Smurfi t-Stone Canada Inc., La Tuque, Québec, Canada

Annie FortinLouisiana Pacifi c Canada Ltd.−Division St-Michel, Saint-Michel-des-Saints, Québec, Canada

Jean-Yves GuayDirection générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Mohammed S. LamhamediDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Gaston LapointeDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Marie-Josée MottetDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Martin PerronDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

André RainvilleDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Corine RiouxDirection générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Michel RiouxDirection générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Denise TousignantDirection de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

Laurence TremblayDirection générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles et Direction de la recherche forestière, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Québec, Canada

iv Saint-Michel-des-Saints and Québec • Septembre 16-21, 2007

A word from the organizers

The Direction de la recherche forestière (DRF) of Forêt Québec, in collaboration with IUFRO, the Réseau Ligniculture Québec , Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd.− Saint-Michel Division, Smurfi t-Stone Canada Packaging Inc., the Directions régionales des forêts de Laval-Lanaudière-Laurentides et de la Mauricie and the Direction générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles, welcomes members of the IUFRO – S2.02.07 (Larch Breeding and Genetic Resources) working group to Québec. We hope that the Larix 2007 Symposium, the fi rst of the working group’s meetings in North America, will meet your expectations through the program activities we have organized, starting with two days of fi eld visits.

Forêt Québec, one of the sectors within the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec , has the mandate of administering the various facets of sustainably managing Québec’s public forests, and of contributing to the development of the forest products industry and private woodlots. Within this broad framework, the mission of the DRF is to participate in improving forest practices in Québec by undertaking research and development projects in diverse fi elds and by ensuring the transfer of know-how to practising foresters.

The primary aim of the IUFRO – S2.02.07 (Larch Breeding and Genetic Resources) working group is to facilitate communications among researchers interested in larch genetics, as well as in associated fi elds (physiology, wood quality, pathology, etc.), and to pursue the mission of international cooperation on larch. The principal objective of the Larix 2007 Symposium is to share advances in larch research, especially in the fi elds of genetics, tree improvement, fl ower biology and plant production, as well as in silviculture and wood processing. We hope that the program will generate dialogue among researchers and practitioners. Such meetings should also promote the launching of new cooperative projects.

This symposium aims at integrating research disciplines related to obtaining and producing improved larch varieties for reforestation. Participants will have the opportunity to discover the regions of Lanaudière and the Mauricie, and to visit natural forests as well as some larch plantations. A number of research and development projects in tree improvement and tree reproduction will be presented; among others, at two government nurseries that produce larch varieties from controlled crosses and multiplied by cuttings or somatic embryogenesis. Afterwards, participants will present the results of their research during poster and communication sessions, which will be held in Québec City as part of the Carrefour de la recherche forestière .

For this edition, the Larix 2007 Symposium is being held in conjunction with the 2007 annual meeting of the Poplar Council of Canada by holding the plenary session of invited speakers, a banquet at the Carrefour, as well as a visit to the Centre d’expérimentation et de greffage de Duchesnay , where the DRF’s tree improvement programs will be presented. These two events are designed to emphasize two of our star species, poplar and larch, which have been the subject of the DRF’s research programs since the early 1970s. We would like to mention that DRF is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Hosting events like these can be traced back to the actions of visionary pioneers such as Messrs. Gilles Vallée and Ante Stipanicic, inititiators of the research projects in tree improvement and intensive silviculture.

Everywhere in the world we see a clear tendency of meeting the increasing demand for wood through the establishment of plantations. In Québec, the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune Act was modifi ed in 2005 to include principles of forest ecosystem management associated with the functional zoning of the territory. Intensive silviculture therefore meets specifi c production issues on a reduced area, while reducing pressures on our natural forests. In addition, in the spring of 2006 the Québec government announced a silvicultural investment program funded with a $75 M budget over four years. These investments will allow us to carry out intensive silviculture on high-potential sites, especially the establishment of fast-growing species. Holding this Larix 2007 Symposium integrates well with this thinking.

We wish you a pleasant stay in Québec, la belle province, and a successful and fruitful Symposium!

The Organizing Committee

1 Larix 2007 – International Symposium of the IUFRO Working Group S2.02.07

Acknowledgments

We extend our thanks to the Carrefour de la recherche forestière and the Direction de la recherche forestière (DRF), who made holding the Larix 2007 Symposium possible as part of the joint seminars of the Carrefour. Our fi nancial partners played a key role by providing necessary material support for this regionally based multi-day event. Thanks for your support!

In addition to the organizing committee, several persons participated in organizing the Symposium, in the regions as well as at the Carrefour, and we cordially thank them for their contributions: Stéphan Mercier, Maripierre Jalbert, Marie Dussault, Mireille Desponts, Jean Noël, and Pierre Gagné. Thanks also to members of the Scientifi c Committee, particularly to Luc Pâques, for their contribution to program development and their many ideas.

We particularly thank Pierre Périnet, Pierre Bélanger, and Marie-Louise Tardif for their collaboration and constant support, and specially Gaston Lapointe for his involvement and unfailing enthusiasm since the beginning with the Larch tree improvement project. Our thanks also are directed to DRF genetics and tree reproduction personnel, as well as to Nathalie Langlois, Sylvie Bourassa, Jessica Groleau and Guillaume Plante for their help with publications. Also, our thanks go to the other persons who participated in organizing the Symposium, particularly to the personnel of Berthier and Saint-Modeste nurseries.

We recognize the invited speakers, authors, moderators and Larix 2007 Symposium participants for their contributions.

Lastly, we wish to underline the indispensable contribution of the organizing committee members and the major support given by Forêt Québec managers for this event.

Martin Perron,

Chair, Organizing Committee

2 Saint-Michel-des-Saints and Québec • Septembre 16-21, 2007

Thanks to our sponsors!

The organisers of the Larix 2007 Symposium thank all the sponsors for their valued collaboration and their support for funding.

Category Gold

Category Bronze

Category Nickel

Avec la participation de : Direction générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles



Canada’s forests account for:

• up to 10% of the world’s forest cover;• about 30% of the world’s boreal forest;• more than 25% of the world’s temperate rainforest;• 25% of the world’s wetlands;• 25% of the world’s freshwater.

Of the three main forest biomes in the world, two—boreal and temperate—are found in Canada. (The third biome, tropical forest, does not occur in Canada.) The boreal forest constitutes

77 percent of Canada’s forest land. It starts in the Yukon and northeastern British Columbia and stretches across the northern parts of the Prairie provinces, Ontario and Quebec to Newfoundland and Labrador. Boreal forest summers are short, moist and moderately warm; winters are long, cold and dry. Temperate forests grow in eastern Canada where there are well-defi ned seasons and a moderate climate. Temperate rainforest occurs along much of Canada’s west coast.

Canada’s forests can be categorized into eight types according to location and combinations of dominant tree species (see map above). Canada’s urban forests may be considered a separate forest type. For many Canadians, their day-to-day relationship with trees takes place in the urban forest.

Canada covers 882.1 million hectares of land and another 88.3 million hectares of water and 8.7 million hectares of unspecifi ed land, for a total area of 979.1 million hectares. Forests (310.1 million hectares) and other wooded land (92 million hectares) make up about 46 percent of Canada’s land mass.

About 294.8 million hectares of Canada’s forest are not reserved and could therefore be available for commercial harvesting. Just under half (143.7 million hectares) of these potentially harvestable hectares is subject to forest

management and, of that half, 0.9 million hectares is harvested annually.

Most of Canada’s forest (93 percent) is publicly owned — 77 percent under provincial or territorial jurisdiction and 16 percent under federal purview. Under Canada’s Constitution, the federal, provincial and territorial governments have specifi c roles in the care and governance of public forests. They also share responsibility for such matters as environmental regulation and science and technology.

The 10 provinces and three territories have legislative authority over the conservation and management of forest resources. They develop and enforce policies, legislation and regulations, allocate timber licences, collect forest management fees and gather data. The federal government is responsible for matters related to the national economy, trade and international investments, federal lands and parks, and Aboriginal peoples. About 80 percent of the harvesting that takes place in Canada occurs on public land, predominantly on provincial/territorial lands.

Authorized information sources:

Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Servicehttp://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/sof/sof06/overview_e.html

Brief Overview of Canada’s Forests


Forests are an integral part of the heritage of Quebecers, who have a deep emotional link to them and to everything that affects this precious resource, whether they are lovers of nature, forest workers or Sunday visitors. In Québec, more than in other developed countries, forests are everywhere and fulfi ll many environmental, social and economic functions. Managing this invaluable resource falls to the Minister of Ressources naturelles et de la Faune.

Québec has an area of 1.5 Mkm2, equivalent to that of Germany, France and Spain combined. Its territory is scattered with thousands of lakes and rivers, which makes it the most abundant jurisdiction in fresh water in the world in per capita terms.

Three distinct vegetation zones are present in Québec. In the north, the Arctic zone is characterized by vegetation composed of shrubs and plants; in the centre, the Boreal zone is dominated by stands of conifers; and in the south, called the Temperate northern zone, by hardwood and mixedwood stands. Southern Québec in turn is divided into three sub-zones, with the continuous boreal forest covering 73% of the forested area. The other two more southerly situated sub-zones in the northern temperate zone, are the sub-zone of the mixed forest (covering 13% of the area), and the deciduous forest that covers 14%. Because most of Québec’s population is concentrated in the St. Lawrence River valley, the forests in the latter sub-zone have largely been removed for agriculture and urbanization since colonization began.

Summary of the forestry portrait of Québec

The forested area of Québec covers 655,124 km2, of which 89% (584,721 km2) is in the public domain and 11% (70,403 km2 ) is privately owned. Accessible forests on public lands cover an area of 451,966 km2 and contain a merchantable volume of 3,755.0 Mm3. Softwood cover (fi r, spruce, jack pine and larch) is markedly dominant. The average volume, all species included, is 83 m3/ha.Depending on the cover type, the area of productive and accessible forests is distributed as follows: hardwood – 10%, mixed – 17%, softwood – 63% and no cover – 10%. In terms of volume, the same categories break down as follows: hardwood – 15%, mixed – 22%, softwood – 63%. A proportion of the stands are in the mature age class, since 60% of this area contains stands that are less than 60 years old. The gross merchantable volume is composed of 73% softwoods and 27% hardwoods (20% hard hardwoods and 7% poplars). As a general rule, Québec’s forests are relatively young in the south and older in the north. With the exception of some spruce stands on the North Shore, softwood stands have an even age structure and harvesting is done using the cutting-with-regeneration-and-soil-protection method. In deciduous stands, which are generally of uneven age, single-tree harvesting is most commonly used. When adequate cutting methods are employed, forests in Québec usually regenerate naturally.

In order to conserve as well as develop our natural resources on public lands over the entire area of the province, the MRNF minister, in concert with the ministers of the other concerned ministries, prepares a land use plan under the authority of the Act Respecting the Lands in the Public Domain. This plan is important, on one hand, to align the actions of the ministries and other governmental organisations with respect to the control and management of the territory and, on the other, to inform the public and other interested parties about government policies. The land use plan distinguishes three broad categories of public lands: those where production is prohibited, those where production is permitted, though subordinate to conservation of the environment, and those where harvesting and resource use is the priority, while respecting the other functions and uses of the forest. The Regulations Respecting Standards of Forest Management for Forests in the Public Domain elaborates on the conditions to be respected in each of these categories. This regulation targets three main objectives: protect all of the resources in the forest; guarantee the compatibility of forest management activities with the government’s allocated use of the territory, and to ensure the continuation or restoration of the forest cover.

The minister of the MRNF allocates of wood volumes from forests in the public domain to supply conversion plants. The Timber Supply and Forest Management Agreement (CAAF) is the principal tool at the disposal of the minister to carry out this allocation. The holder of a harvesting permit for a conversion plant, who also has been granted a CAAF, is authorized to harvest each year on a defi ned territory, a volume of roundwood of one or several species in order to ensure the operation of the mill. The territory on which the CAAF is exercised is called a “management unit”. This territory combines one or several “common areas”, that is, areas where one or a certain number of forestry companies are authorized to harvest wood of distinct species, groups or quality. Each common area is subject to a general forest management plan and a specifi c allowable cut calculation.

The CAAF has 25-year duration and can be extended every fi ve years for another fi ve-year period if the benefi ciary has respected his obligations and the provisions of the law and its regulations.

Information source:

MINISTÈRE DES RESSOURCES NATURELLES ET DE LA FAUNE. 2002. Rapport sur l’état des forêts québécoises, 1995-1999. 272 p.

Québec—Land of Forests

Notes



In the early 1970s, the MRNF’s larch tree improvement program was initiated with the establishment of comparative plantations of several species and varieties. The program was mainly focussed on eastern larch(tamarack; L. laricina [Du Roi] k. Kock) and European and Japanese larches (L. decidua Mill., EL; L. kaempferi [Lamb.] Carrière; JL). Currently, we have samples of six other larch species, specifi cally L. gmelinii, L. occidentalis, L. olgensis, L. siberica, L. dahurica, and L. principis rupprechtii.

Figure 1. Location of tests (over 100) for eastern larch and introduced larches tree improvement programs. Often, there is more than one test per location, particularly in 21 MRNF arboretums.

The second generation eastern larch improvement program will be limited to specifi c activities (no controlled crosses), because of the low observed genetic variability for growth in several tests. Moreover, demand is limited mainly to the spruce-moss bioclimatic domain, where growth is poor because of the short growing season (about 143 days). Selection of the second generation population will end around 2010 and will encompass traits that are directly linked to wood quality (e.g., density).

In terms of the second generation of introduced larches (EL, JL and their hybrid [L. x marschlinsii Coaz; HL]), the program started in 2003 and is more developed, (Figure 2). However, before implementing this second generation program, we have reviewed and corrected our tree improvement strategy for introduced larches. This strategy takes into account current gains and needs, the future of forestry in Québec and current knowledge in genetics. This is why the strategy of reciprocal recurrent selection with forward selection (RRS-FS) will be implemented. This strategy is favoured because it is one of the safest among the recognized genetic improvement strategies for interspecifi c hybrids (Kerr et al. 2004). In addition, it guarantees the benefi t of greater domestication of parental species, which is not negligible at this stage. For example it will permit verifying the need to make use of more than breeding zone and, if need be, to identify the families of parental species (EL and JL) that are best adapted to the various bioclimatic domains in Québec.

The selection of families and provenances was fi rst done with respect to the total height growth performance at age 9, 10 or 15 years using the available data. Afterwards, mass selection was carried out using trunk straightness characteristics, crown quality (branch size, angle and number) and resistance to diseases (absence of damage). Also, using molecular markers hybridized subjects were excluded (cf., Acheré et al. 2004, Gros-Louis et al. 2005). In all, 80 EL and 80 JL were retained, and comprise the breeding groups for the second generation, which are breeding populations of parental species.

First, two polymixes will be used to evaluate the general combining ability (GCA) and the general hybridization ability (GHA) for all of the trees from the breeding groups for each parental species. This breeding plan will produce 160 half-sib families of H1 (80 H1 ExJ and 80 H1JxE)as well as 80 intra-specifi c half-sib families from each of the parental species, for a total of 320 families. With regard to using the comparative plantations to evaluate the GCA and GHA, six sites in four bioclimatic domains (sugar maple/basswood; sugar maple/yellow birch, balsam fi r/yellow birch and balsam fi r/white birch) will be chosen. At each site, three comparative plantations will be established: one to evaluate the GHA and two to evaluate the GCA, or one for EL and one for JL. The ten-year measurement (around 2023) will provide part of the useful information needed to create breeding populations of parental species for the third generation.

Then, intra-specifi c controlled crosses will be carried out according to a factorial mating design (8 and 6) in sub-groups within two breeding groups of 16 selected trees (ST) and two of 24 ST, in order to create 136 full-sib families per parental species (EL and JL). The 136 full-sib families, from each of the parental species, will be planted in two recruitment and breeding plantations in order to reduce the risk of damage or losses. It simply means plantations comprised of a large plot for each family (probably 7 x 7).

Finally, the production population of the new improved variety of second generation HL was composed of a sub-group of breeding populations of parental species, 20 EL and 20 JL, or 25% of the breeding populations. To minimize parental links and maintain the genetic diversity of descendants of this population, there was a maximum of two STs per source (descendants or provenances). The 20 EL from the production population represent 16 half-sib families from nine provenances, whereas the 20 JL represent eight provenances and six half-sib families, or 14 sources. During the winter of 2006/2007, these trees were grafted by the Direction des pépinières et stations piscicoles with the aim of creating a production population for the second generation improved variety of HL.

Larch Tree Improvement in Québec by the MRNF By Martin Perron

2

2

22

2

Hull

Rouyn

GaspéMatane

Québec

Montréal

RobervalVal-d'Or Rimouski

Maniwaki

La Tuque

Chandler

Sept-Iles

Saint-Jean

Chibougamau

Baie-Comeau

Murdochville

Drummondville

Trois-Rivières

Thetford Mines

Saint-Hyacinthe

Rivière-du-Loup

Mont-Laurier

50°0'0"N

50°0'0"N

48°0'0"N

48°0'0"N

46°0'0"N

46°0'0"N

0 70 14035Kilomètres

Towns

Location of tests for larches tree improvement programsSecteurArboretum

2 Second generation


Figure 2. Diagram of larch tree improvement by the MRNF-Québec.

References:

ACHERÉ, V., P. FAIVRE RAMPANT, L. E. PÂQUES, D. PRAT. 2004. Chloroplast and mitochondrial molecular tests identify European X Japanese larch hybrids. Theorical and Applied Genetics 108: 1643-1649.

GROS-LOUIS, M. C., J. BOUSQUET, L. E. PÂQUES, N. ISABEL.2005. Species-diagnotic markers in Larix spp. based on RAPDs and nuclear, cpDNA, and mtDNA gene sequences, and their phylogenetic implications. Tree Genetics & Genomes 1: 50-63.

KERR, R. J., M. J. DIETERS, B. TIER, H. S. DUNGEY. 2004. Simulation of hybrid forest tree breeding strategies.Canadian Journal of Forest Research 34: 195-208.

Information contacts:

Martin Perron, biologiste, Ph. D.Researcher, larch tree improvement(Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6547

Gaston Lapointe, tech. f. sp.Responsible for technical aspects of larch tree improvement [email protected] 643-7994 poste 6552

Legend: GCA=General Combining Ability; GHA=General Hybridization Ability; ST=Selected Tree; SCA=Specifi c Combining Ability; SHA=Specifi c Hybridization Ability; fam.=family; H1=Hybrid; RBP=Recruitment and Breeding Plantation; sp=species.


In Québec, the production of seeds and forest plants is coordinated Direction générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles), whose mandate is: “To contribute increasing the productivity of Québec’s forests by ensuring the production of improved seeds and plants according to the needs of clients and at the lowest possible cost.” .

Reforestation in Québec is in the order of 150 million plants annually, allocated as follows:

• 122 M on public forests;• 28 M on private forests.

These plants are produced by 23 nurseries (Fig. 1), with the following proportions:

• 45 M by the six MRNF nurseries (Berthier, Grandes-Piles, Normandin, Saint-Modeste, Sainte-Luce, and Trécesson);

• 105 M by 17 private nurseries, via contracts negotiated with the Offi ce des producteurs de plants forestiers du Québec.

To produce these plants, 450 M seeds are required each year, of which 80% are from improved sources, coming mainly from the 1127 hectares of provincial seed orchards. In addition, the best identifi ed individuals in tree improvement programs are being used to carry out controlled crosses in order to produce elite seeds for use in the production of cuttings. The same crosses are also being used to produce plants by somatic embryogenesis.

The main species being produced are black spruce, jack pine, white spruce and Norway spruce. Along with conifer production are 1.5 M hard hardwoods and 1.5 M hybrid poplars.

To be among the leaders in reforestation, Québec’s objective is to produce the highest quality plants. They represent the leverage required to increase the productivity and yield of our forests. To ensure good survival after planting, and in order to attain the anticipated productivity, rigorous quality control is exercised for each lot shipped. Desirable qualities are mainly for:

• a well-developed root system;• robustness of plants (H:D ratio);• plant dimensions (H and D);• absence of disease and insects;• nitrogen reserve;• well-formed plant (stem and roots).

Figure 1. Location of the 23 government and private nurseries in Québec. (Map modifi ed from Lamhamedi et al. 2005).

Reference:

LAMHAMEDI, M.S., R. MARIO, L. VEILLEUX. 2005. Élaborationdes seuils de tolérance au gel des plants d’épinette blanche 1+0 en pépinière forestière selon les régions écologiques du Québec. Ministère des ressources naturelles et de la Faune, Direction de la recherche forestière. Mémoire de recherche 147, 52 pages.

Seed and Forest Plant Production in QuébecBy Alain Bonneau

C.P.P.F.Q.

PépinièreHarrington

Les Serrescoopérativede Guyenne

TrécessonNormandin

Ste-LuceCoopérative forestière Laterrière

Centre sylvicoleForestville inc.

Serres et pépinièreGirardville

PépinièreLa Loutre

Somival inc.

Grandes-Piles

Berthier

C.P.P.F. Technofor inc.

Saint-Modeste

Béchedor inc.

Sargim inc.

Pampev inc.

PépinièreBaie-des-Chaleurs inc.

Coopérative desHautes-Laurentides

Reboisement Mauricie inc.Planfor inc.

PépinièreBoucher

4

6

7

5

4

3 2 3

5

1

2 1

4

80°0'0"O 75°0'0"O 70°0'0"O 65°0'0"O

46°0'0"N

48°0'0"N

50°0'0"N

52°0'0"N

0 100 20050km

Black Spruce-Lichen (7)Black Spruce-Moss (6)Balsam Fir-White Birch (5)Balsam Fir-Yellow Birch (4)Sugar Maple-Yellow Birch (3)Sugar Maple-Basswood (2)Sugar Maple-Bitternut Hickory (1)

Provincial Nursery

Private Nursery

Bioclimatic Domain

Notes



Day 1 − September 17, Stops 1, 2, 3, 4, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsLanaudière Administrative Region

Portrait of Lanaudière Administrative Region

This administrative region covers an area of 13,405 km2. Forests cover an area of 10,497 km2, of which 77% are on public lands and 13% on private lands. Productive and accessible forests on public lands cover an area of 7,572 km2 and contain a gross merchantable volume of 82.0 Mm3. Water and non-forested land comprises 9% and 13%, respectively, of the area. The area of protected areas, parks and ecological reserves total 574 km2.

The public forests of Lanaudière make up 78% of the gross merchantable volume available in the region. The mixedwood cover type is predominant. The average volume, all species combined, is 108 m3/ha. Depending on the cover type, the area of accessible productive forests on public lands is distributed as follows: hardwoods 28%, mixedwoods 45%, softwoods 21% and 6% no cover. In terms of volume, this distribution is as follows: hardwoods 31%, mixedwoods 48% and softwoods 21%. Most of the stands are of medium age, with stands less than 60 years old occupying 59% are the area. Gross merchantable volume is comprised of 43% softwoods and 57% hardwoods. Softwoods belong mainly to the group “fi r, spruce, jack pine and larch”. Hardwoods are represented by 46% hard-hardwoods and 11% poplars.

Information source:

MINISTÈRE DES RESSOURCES NATURELLES. 2002. Rapport sur l’état des forêts québécoises, 1995-1999. 272 p.

Map Legend:

Lanaudière Administrative Region Day 1 − 17 September, Saint-Michel-des-Saints (No 1 on map)Day 2 − 18 September, Berthier (No 2)


Saint-Michel-des-Saints Regional Landscape Unit

The Saint-Michel-des-Saints Regional Landscape Unit (RLU)1 is located about 100 km north of Montreal. The topography of this unit is broken, and made up of rolling and high hills with rounded summits and hillsides of moderate to steep slope (average slope: 14%). Mean elevation is 431 m. Surface deposits are dominated by a deep till, although thin tills are present on most of the high hills. The drainage system belongs to the St. Lawrence drainage basin and contains several water bodies, of which the principal one is the Taureau Reservoir in the north. The Matawin River, which fl ows from west to east towards the St. Maurice River, is the most important water course. The unit is part of the sugar maple/yellow birch bioclimatic domain. The climate is categorized as sub-polar humid, continental (mean annual temperature 2.5 0C, growing degree-days 1111 to 1444 0C). It is characterised by a medium long growing season (160–170 days). The aridity index is from 125 to 175. Mean annual precipitation is 900 to 1000 mm, of which 25–30% falls as snow.

The potential vegetation on mesic sites is sugar maple/yellow birch on mid slopes and balsam fi r/yellow birch on upper slopes. Well-drained sites are colonized by potential vegetation of black spruce/moss stands and green alder. On less well-drained benches are found balsam fi r/red spruce. Forests cover almost all land in this RLU.

Information source:

ROBITAILLE, A., J.P. SAUCIER. 1998. Paysages régionaux du Québec méridional. Les Publications du Québec. Sainte-Foy (Québec). 215 p.

1 The regional landscape unit (RLU) is a part of southern Québec that is characterised by a recurrence of permanent ecological features of the environment and vegetation. The geology, surface deposits, topography, elevation, hydrography and bioclimate make up the permanent factors that defi ne and structure it, whereas the potential vegetation and distribution of some tree species serve as climate indicator characters.


Day 1 − September 17, Stop 1, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsA typical sugar maple/yellow birch standBy Brigitte Blais and Pierre Bélanger

The site on which we are standing is within the Saint-Michel-des-Saints landscape unit (4,270 km2) and the sugar maple/yellow birch bioclimatic domain. Topography is broken, being formed of low and high hills having rounded summits and moderate to steep slopes. The average elevation is 111 metres and the mean slope 14%. Many escarpments dot the landscape in the eastern part of the unit. The western part is less broken, with the Matawin River fl owing through a large valley. The mean elevation (431 m) is much higher than in the eastern and southern units. The rock substrate is made up of crystalline metamorphic rocks (gneiss).

The thick till covers over 40% of the total area and is found especially on the knolls and hills in the western sector. A frontal moraine crosses the unit in the southeastern corner (Saint-Narcisse moraine). The thin till extends over a quarter of the area, especially on the high, broken hills in the east, where the summits have numerous, large rock outcrops. In this zone, the thick till is only found in the thalwegs. Fluvioglacial deposits are found in the larger valleys, in particular in the Matawin River valley.

The hydrographic network is part of the St. Lawrence River watershed, and includes many water bodies, of which the main one is the Taureau Reservoir in the north. Lakes are distributed uniformly over the territory. The Matawin River, which fl ows from west to east towards the Saint-Maurice River, is the largest watercourse.

Sugar maple/yellow birch bioclimatic domain

As previously mentioned, the Saint-Michel-des-Saints landscape unit is within the sugar maple/yellow birch bioclimatic domain. This domain borders the southern part of the Laurentian Plateau and the Appalachians, covering 65,600 km2 of a zone called the northern temperate zone, which is over 110,000 km2 (see the colour fi gure on the back of the cover). It has a subpolar, subhumid, continental climate. The annual mean temperature is 2.5 °C, mean annual precipitation is 1,100 mm and the mean growing season is 160-170 days.

Widely distributed, sugar maple/yellow birch stands are found in the environments typically observed in this region at various elevations. On lower slopes and less exposed hillsides we fi nd yellow birch/fi r stands, intolerant hardwoods and balsam fi r, whereas steep and poorly drained sites produce softwood stands, the majority of which are fi r and spruce.

Sugar maple/yellow birch types grow on moderately drained sites and on humo-ferric or ferric-humic podzols covered with a moder humus. Along with the distinctly dominant sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marsh.) is a variable quantity of yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis Britt.). Some beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) and some conifers, especially balsam fi r (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.), red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.), white spruce (P. glauca [Moench] Voss) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis

[L.] Carrière) appear sporadically. Sugar maple/yellow birch stands generally have an uneven age structure, which reveals the capacity of both species to take advantage of gaps to regenerate or accelerate their growth (Lemieux 1963; Majcen et al. 1984). Finally, it should be mentioned that windthrow plays a preponderant role in the dynamics of the forests in the sugar maple/yellow birch bioclimatic domain.

Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

Sugar maple (Photo 1) is recognized by its fruit, the samara (Photo 2), by its brownish buds and its green, fi ve-lobed leaves with smooth borders (Photo 3),

The maple leaf, Canada’s national emblem, changes gradually to yellow and red in the autumn,

An Appalachian tree, it grows mainly in the southern part of the province in soils that are rich, moist and well-drained, preferably on elevated sites,

Height: 35 m, Diameter: 90 cm, Age: 200 years.

Photo 1. Sugar maple (photo MRNF).


Photo 2. Fruits (samara) of sugar maple (photo MRNF).

Photo 3. Sugar maple leaf (photo MRNF).

Maple syrup production

In early winter, sugar maple transforms the carbohydrates that are accumulated during the summer into sugar. In the spring this sugar is taken up by water absorbed by the roots, a fortunate mixture called maple sap.

At the fi rst sign of spring, the sugar bush operator taps the sugar maples by drilling small holes through the bark to a depth of about fi ve centimeters, to which are attached a system of tubes (Photo 4). The tubes connect directly all the tapped trees to the sugarhouse. With the help of successive freezing and thawing cycles, the pressure in the tree is modifi ed, causing the fl ow of maple sap that fl ows through the tubes. However, the mechanism that triggers this remains unknown.

Photo 4. Tubing in a sugar bush (photo MAPAQ) [Ministère de l’Agriculture des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec].

Next comes the time to convert the maple sap using an evaporator, a process during which the unique maple fl avour develops and which allows for the preparation of the extremely popular maple products!

Description of Mr Rondeau’s Sugar Bush:

Location Sainte-Émélie-de-L’Énergie, in Lanaudière

Latitude 46° 24’ 16’’ N

Longitude 73° 44’ 32’’ O

Area 1.62 ha

Number of trees tapped 700

Species present in the sugar bush Sugar maple (95%), some of which are close to 100 years, yellow birch and white birch.

Principal products Mainly maple syrup, but also some taffy and sugar.

Work method Tube system in place. Preparation of maple products is done in the traditional way, heating with wood.

Climate, soil and topography

Mean annual precipitation 900 to 1 100 mm

Mean annual temperature 2.5 °C

Length of growing season 160 to 170 days

Elevation 440 m

Deposit Sandy loam (78% sand – 13% silt – 9% clay)

pH 4.05


Exclusive to northeastern North America, maple syrup production is well-established in Canada, which produces 86% of the world’s maple syrup. Among producing provinces, Québec is the principal supplier.

Canadian Maple Syrup Production…

Québec: 93%

Ontario: 5%

New-Brunswick: 2%

A large proportion of Québec’s production is exported to the United States. From 2000 to 2005, the amount shipped increased by a remarkable 17%, attaining 88%.

That being said, several sugar bushes, like the one belonging to Mr Clémentien Rondeau, continue to be tapped for non-commercial purposes. Thus, for almost 30 years, Mr Rondeau has provided his family with maple products, his family-based sugar bush being a hobby above all.

Method used in bygone days

Even though production methods have been improved, especially since the 1970s, some syrup producers choose to use traditional methods. Instead of the tube system, these producers prefer to insert a metal or plastic spigot into the tapped tree (Photo 5), which allows the sap to drip into a bucket made for the purpose. Traditionally, the buckets were collected using a horse-drawn sled. But independent of the way in which it is produced, syrup time is a Québec custom, so much so that each spring numerous groups of friends or families meet at a sugarhouse to savour their maple products!

Photo 5. Plastic spigot (photo MAPAQ).

References:

LEMIEUX, G.J., 1963. Ecology and productivity of the northern Hardwood forests of Québec. Thèse de doctorat, Université du Michigan, Ann-Arbor. 144 pages.

MAJCEN, Z., Y. RICHARD ET M. MÉNARD, 1984. Écologie et dendrométrie dans le sud-ouest du Québec, étude de douze secteurs forestiers. Serv. Rech., Min. Res. Nat., Québec, Mémoire no 85. 334 pages.

Information sources:

GRONDIN, P. ET COLLABORATEURS, 1996. Domaine de l’érablière à bouleau jaune. Manuel de foresterie, Première partie – Le milieu forestier, Chapitre trois Écologie forestière, pp. 183-196. Ordre des ingénieurs forestiers du Québec. Les Presses de l’Université Laval, Québec.

MINISTÈRE DES RESSOURCES NATURELLES ET DE LA FAUNE, 2007. Guide de reconnaissance des types écologiques.Direction de l’environnement forestier et Direction des communications. 113 pages.

ROBITAILLE, A., J.-P. SAUCIER, 1998. Paysages régionaux du Québec méridional. Les Publications du Québec, Québec, 213 p.

Notes



Three species of larch are indigenous to North America. Two of them, subalpine larch (Larix lyallii Parl.) and western larch (L. occidentalis Nutt.) are only found in southwestern Canada and in the northwestern United States. Eastern larch (Larix laricina [Du Roi] K. Koch) is therefore the only representative of the genus in eastern North America. Its range (Figure 1) is actually among the most widespread of any conifer on the continent. It extends from Alaska to the Atlantic Provinces, as well as into the northeastern states (e.g., Vidakovic 1991).

Figure 1. Range of eastern larch.

Eastern larch

Eastern larch is a tree of medium size, attaining 25 m in height, 40 cm in diameter, and with a lifespan of 150 years (Farrar 1996). In Québec, it is the only conifer that sheds its leaves in winter. It reaches sexual maturity at about 10 years of age and fl owering reaches optimum levels at about age 75 (Farrar 1996). It differs from European and Japanese larches by its shorter needles and smaller cones (1 to 2 cm in length) (Photo 1).

Photo 1. Female cones and needle cluster (photo MRNF).

Eastern larch grows under extreme climatic conditions. Indeed, minimum recorded temperatures range from -290 to -62 0 C and maximum temperatures from 290 to 430C (Johnston 1990). Larch stands are found between 500 and 1200 metres in elevation, and precipitation varies from 180 to 1400 mm per year (Tousignant and Stipanicic 2000). Most often, it grows on cold, fairly poorly drained sites, especially accompanied by black spruce (Picea mariana) and eastern white cedar

(Thuya occidentalis) (Farrar 1996). However, it is observed in mixed stands in association with the following species (Johnston 1990):

1- Pinus banksiana2- Abies balsamea3- Picea glauca4- Pinus resinosa5- Pinus strobus6- Populus balsamifera

In spite of the fact that it frequently colonizes wet soils, eastern larch performs better on well-drained soils. Several authors report that the most productive sites for this species are well-drained uplands (In NIELSEN 1989). In fact, its growth is one of the most rapid among boreal species (Mead 1978 In Carter 1987). It is important to mention that this species is highly intolerant of shade, as are the other species in the Larix genus. Because of this, competition control in young plantations is essential if we want to ensure survival.

According to Frère Marie-Victorin (1964), around 1874 the species almost disappeared due to defoliation by the larch sawfl y (Pristiphora erichsonii). Growth reduction and paler latewood growth rings show that other serious attacks by the sawfl y occurred during the following years: 1895 to 1912, beginning of the years 1920, 1937 to 1942, 1955 to 1962, at the end of the 1970s and the start of the 1980s (Girardin et al. 2001).

Description du site

Stand locationMunicipality Saint-ZénonProvince QuébecLatitude 46° 35’Longitude 73° 51’

Climate, soil, topographyMean annual precipitation 1 000 to 1 100 mmMean annual temperature 2-3 °CElevation 400 mStand density 40 to 60%Deposit Sand and gravelSlope 0 %Soil texture Loamy sandSandSiltClay

84%10%6%

pH 4.31Age and height of stand

Mean height 12 to 17 mStand age 70 years

Day 1 − September 17, Stop 2, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsA natural stand of Larix laricinaBy Gaston Lapointe and Martin Perron


Domestication in Québec

Over the last 35 years, almost 50 experiments on eastern larch have been established in bioclimatic domains 1 to 6 in southern Québec (see colour map on the back of cover 3), as part of the tree improvement program of the Direction de la recherche forestière (MRNF) in Québec. The material came mostly from collecting seeds from natural stands in Québec, Ontario and the Maritimes. In addition, seed orchards helped supply improved eastern larch seeds to meet reforestation needs, for which the annual demand amounts to about 750,000 seedlings.

Its traditional and modern uses

Because of its high resistance to decay, among other things it was used for building boats, barns, bridges, and for posts and railway ties. Native peoples used the roots to sew birch bark canoes and to make snowshoes. They also used it for its medicinal properties for fl u and colds, as a laxative, to treat anemia, burns, disinfecting cuts, and as an analgesic. Even today, its branches are used by the Cree of James Bay to make bird calls for ducks and geese for hunting.

More recently, tests carried out using eastern larch showed that it has good potential for making wood pulp, particle board and various lumber products. A few companies here also use it to make shingles, fl ooring and outdoor furniture (refer to our fi nancial partners in the guide book).

Its rapid growth, and the quality and beauty of its wood make eastern larch an interesting species for Québec forestry and its use should increase over the coming years.


Martin Perron, biologiste, Ph. D.Researcher, larch tree improvement (Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6547

Gaston Lapointe, tech. f. sp.Responsible for technical aspects of larch tree [email protected] 643-7994 poste 6552

References:

CARTER, K. K. 1987. Larch plantation management in the Northeast. Northern Journal of Applied Forestry. 4 (1): 18-20.

FARRAR, J. L. 1995. Les arbres du Canada. Fides, Saint-Laurent et le Service canadien des forêts, Ottawa. 502 pages.

FRÈRE MARIE-VICTORIN. 1964. Flore Laurentienne. 2e édition entièrement revue et mise à jour par Rouleau, E. Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal, Montréal. 925 pages.

Photo 2. Natural stand of eastern larch at Saint-Zénon, Québec (Photo Gaston Lapointe).

GIRARDIN, M.-P., J. TARDIF, ET Y. BERGERON. 2001. Radialgrowth analysis of Larix laricina from the Duparquet area, Québec, in relation to climate and larch sawfl y outbreaks. Écoscience. 8 (1): 127-138.

JOHNSTON, W. F. 1990. Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch. Tamarack. Dans: Sylvics of North America Volume 1, Conifers (eds. Burns R. M., Honkala B.H.), pp. 260-280.

NIELSEN, C. 1989. A literature review of the soil-site requirements of eastern white pine, Norway spruce and larch. Ministry of Natural Resources, Fast Growing Forests Group. Brockville. 6 pages.

TOUSIGNANT, D., A. STIPANICIC 2000. Larix laricina – Full data sheet. Dans: Forestry Compendium Global Module (Encyclopédie multimédia sur CD-ROM). CABI Publishing. ISBN 0-85199-483-0.

VIDAKOVI , M, 1991, Conifers morphology and variation.Grafi ki Zavod Hrvatske, Zagreb. 755 pages.


Description

Principal objective Production of rapidly growing species to increase the allowable cut of softwoods in the Matawin area.

LocationMunicipality Saint-Michel-des-SaintsProvince QuébecLatitude 46o 43’ 01’’NLongitude 73o 50’ 10’’WArea 9.06 haCurrent owner Québec Government

Manager Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd via its mandate to manage Common area 06202.

Climate, soil, topographyAnnual mean precipitation 1 000 to 1 100 mmAnnual mean temperature 4 to 5 °CLength of growing season 170 to 180 joursSlope 3 to 8%Deposit Organic (over 50g/kg of carbone)pH 4.37

Secondary objective Perfect our forest management practices. Improve the productivity of our plantations (performance, distance raw material/mill).

Primary collaborators Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec (Direction de la recherche forestière et Unité de gestion Assomption-Matawin)

Material About 6 000 plants, of which 97% are large dimension European larch delivered in tubs, and 3% were bareroot hybrid larch delivered in bags.

Experimental design According to the Forest Management Manual, 3rd edition, a plantation must contain between 1 500 and 2 000 plants ha-1. For the plantation in question, 1895 trees were planted.

CHRONOLOGY OF PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIÉSEstablishment of experiment

May 2000

1995 Cutting with protection of regeneration and soils done with a feller-buncher.

May 2000 Site preparation by clearing; mixing of organic and mineral soils and placing slash in windrows to facilitate reforestation.

May 2000 Planting 6 000 European and hybrid larch plants the experimental layout.

July 2001Manual release of the plantation with a brush saw. Loss of some trees during brushing in addition to those lost due to planting quality, quality of plants, climatic conditions, etc.

July 2006 During a visit to the plantation, several trees were more than 6 m in height. Should be pruned within 2-3 years when plants will have reached 7 m.

Day 1 − September 17, Stop 3, Saint-Michel-des-SaintsOperational plantation of Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd., Lac au Piège sectorBy Annie Fortin


Larch plantations were established by Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd to ensure a wood supply for the Saint-Michel-des-Saints sawmill. Lumber tests (com-pression, bending and drying) were done in 1998 using samples from a commercial thinning carried out at the MRNF’s La Patrie arboretum. Mean tree height and diameter were 18 m and 30 cm, respectively. The tests were conclusive, and allowed Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd’s forest managers to establish almost 2 000 ha of this type of plantation over seven years in the Matawin area. Moreover, the objective of establishing hybrid larch can be followed up during the next fi ve-year plan from 2008 to 2013, and it will even be possible to expand the program to the south, which was not possible before. The management of this fast-growing species could continue in future in order to supply Louisiana-Pacifi c’s hardboard mill at Saint-Michel-des-Saints (tests were conclusive). Because of its fi bre properties, Larch could replace trembling aspen, which is a highly desirable species for this type of mill. However, before increasing the area planted to hybrid larch, we must ensure the availability of sites that meet the needs of the species.


Annie Fortin, ing.f.Responsible for forestry planning (Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd, St-Michel Sawmill & OSB Division)[email protected] 833-1301 poste 200

Gaston Lapointe, tech. f. sp.Responsible for technical aspects of larch tree improvement [email protected] 643-7994 poste 6552


Laurence Narinx, ing.f.Responsible for brushing, reforestation and release operations with Bernard de Valicourt [email protected]


Halt # 3: plantation LPC

Réservoir Taureau

Réservoir Taureau

Réservoir Taureau

Réservoir Taureau

Lac Hazeur

Lac Kaiagamac

Lac de la Roche

Lac au Piège

Lac Desautels

Troisième lac à la Truite

Île Solitaire

Île du Sauvage

Baie à Pépère-Hétu

Auberge du Lac Taureau

Halt #4

creeks

roads GPS

Lakes

plantation_meh_00-05YEAR

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004 1:50 000

N

Figure 1. Site of operational plantations, 2000-2005. Louisiana-Pacifi c Ltd., Lac au Piège Sector (map Annie Fortin).

Notes



Problematic

Currently, the best-performing hybrid larch (L. x marschlinsii Coaz; HL) in Québec are from interspecifi c crosses between European larch (L. decidua Mill.; EL) and Japanese larch (L. kaempferi [Lamb.] Carrière; JL) (Stipanicic 1999). However, the larches are vulnerable to frost, and few tests were established in the balsam fi r/yellow birch domain in Québec. In addition, few sources were evaluated in this bioclimatic domain. It is therefore necessary to increase the number of EL and JL families tested above 480N because of their good survival rate seen in previous tests. This experiment is integrated along with the evaluation of the parents (general combining ability) having served for the development of our indoor seed orchards. This will be discussed at the Berthier Forest Seed Centre. Evaluating EL parents is one of the last activities of the fi rst-generation tree improvement program for the larches.

Principal and Secondary Objectives

To compare the productivity of HL and EL in deciduous and boreal forests:

1)Determine more exactly the potential for HL and EL in the balsam fi r/yellow birch domain.

2)Identify the best performing and most hardy families.

3)Estimate the heritability of economically interesting characteristics.

Initial hypotheses

Equipped with improved hardiness, EL families will be more productive in terms of survival than HL in the more northerly test. HL will provide the highest percentage of productive families relative to growth (height and volume) in the two more southerly sites, located in the sugar maple/basswood and balsam fi r/yellow birch domains.

Day 1 − September 17, Stop 4, Saint-Michel-des-Saints Progeny test of European larch and hybrid larch in Brassard Township (BRA42801)By Martin Perron

Manicouagan-Outardes Management Unit (MRNF) and Louisiana Pacifi c Canada Ltd., St-Michel Division

Hull

Rouyn

GaspéMatane

Québec

Montréal

RobervalVal-d'Or Rimouski

Maniwaki

La Tuque

Chandler

Sept-Iles

Saint-Jean

Chibougamau

Baie-Comeau

Murdochville

Drummondville

Trois-Rivières

Thetford Mines

Saint-Hyacinthe

Rivière-du-Loup

Mont-Laurier

50°0'0"N

50°0'0"N

48°0'0"N

48°0'0"N

46°0'0"N

46°0'0"N

0 70 14035Kilomètres

Villes

Location of experimental plantations

Figure 1. Location of experimental plantations and bioclimatic domains. (map Gaétan Numainville)


Material and methods

In 1998, 23 uniparental EL families were produced through open pollination in our experimental indoor orchards. The 16 HL uniparental families are from seeds collected in 1998 in Maine (Unity Seed Orchard 50). In addition, the hybrid variety 10373 (German orchard; F. von LOCHOW-PETKUS) was used as a positive control because it is among the best performing in several of our tests (11 tests in 4 bioclimatic domains). The seeding and production of seedlings was done at the St-Modeste nursery in 1999 and 2000. The tests were composed of eight blocks, and linear plots (families) were made up of four plants spaced at 2.0 m intervals. Spacing between rows was 3.0 m at the time of planting. This experiment is repeated on three sites and a similar number of bioclimatic domains: the Brassard Township site in the balsam fi r/yellow birch domain (4c-T, BRA42601), the Rivière-aux-Rosiers site (5g-T, RRO42901) and the Villeroy Township site (2b-T, VRO42801) (see map to locate sites).

Description of experiment in Brassard Township (BRA42801):

Photo 1. Progeny test after planting. BRA42601 (Photo Gaston Lapointe).

LocationMunicipality Saint-Michel-des-SaintsProvince QuébecLatitude 46o 44’ 28’’NLongitude 73o 55’ 10’’WArea 1 haClimate, soil, topographyMean annual precipitation 900 to 1 100 mmMean annual temperature 2.5 0 CLength of growing season 160 to 170 daysAltitude 386 mSlope 3-7%Deposit Sand (Sand 91%-Silt 6%-Clay 3%)

pH 4.47

CHRONOLOGY OF MAIN ACTIVITIÉS

Stand cutting 2000 cut with protection of regeneration and soil with feller-buncher

Site preparation May 2001 clearing; mixture of organic and mineral layers; stacking

Experimentestablishment May 2001

Managingcompetingvegetation

Manual releases: 2000, 2003, 2007

Measurements October 2001 survivalOctobre 2005 survival, total height, growth in 2005, forks, multiple leaders


Results 5 years after planting

BRA42601 (4c-T): survival rate 90%.

Source and Total Rank Nb TS HTM05 en cm CV en % HTMin. en

cmHTMax. en

cm

20975 (1st rank; JxE) 26 0.87 355a 17 240 469

20984 (4th rank; ExJ) 24 0.81 336ab 20 183 448

20953 (10th rank; MEE) 28 0.90 310b 17 226 446

10373 (14th rank) 53 0.90 308b 25 160 485

MEE (23 fam.) 516 0.93 256a 23 106 446

MEH ( 6 fam. JxE) 166 0.88 334b 19 184 511

MEH (10 fam. ExJ) 268 0.86 304c 23 106 462

Test 1003 0.90 284 25 106 511

Other sites:

VRO42801 (2b-T): survival rate 92%.

Source and Total Rank Nb TS HTM05 encm CV en % HTMin. en

cmHTMax. en

cm

20974 (1st rank; JxE) 30 0.94 329a 19 220 437

20986 (4th rank; ExJ) 31 0.97 294ab 26 113 406

20953 (13th rank; MEE) 28 0.87 262bc 21 173 380

10373 (17th rank) 62 0.97 249c 24 100 365

MEE (23 fam.) 629 0.89 218a 29 39 391

MEH ( 6 fam. JxE) 181 0.94 294b 26 51 477

MEH (10 fam. ExJ) 307 0.96 265c 28 33 429

Test 1179 0.92 244 31 33 477

RRO42901 (5g-T): survival rate 63%.

Source and Total Rank Nb TS HTM05 encm CV en % HTMin. en

cmHTMax. en

cm

20979 (1st rang; JxE) 04 0.16 212a 34 103 250

20989 (5th rang; ExJ) 24 0.78 189a 20 111 266

20966 (2th rang; MEE) 24 0.81 197a 23 58 271

10373 (39th rang) 12 0.20 137b 33 82 244

MEE (23 fam.) 495 0.76 168a 28 58 285

MEH ( 6 fam. JxE) 46 0.24 177a 27 84 250

MEH (10 fam. ExJ) 196 0.64 172a 25 62 266

Test 749 0.63 169 27 58 285


Photo 2. Fifth year post-planting measurement. BRA42601 (Photo Annie Fortin).

Photo 3. Fifth year post-planting measurement. RRO42901 (Photo Gaston Lapointe).


Martin Perron, biologiste, Ph. D.Researcher, Larch tree improvement (Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6547


Reference:

STIPANICIC, A. 1999. Les mélèzes laricin et hybrides. Dans: L’amélioration génétique en foresterie: où en sommes-nous?, Rivière-du-Loup. pp. 77-85.


Portrait of Mauricie Administrative Region

Batiscan Municipality (Number 1 on map) is part of the Mauricie Administrative Region. This region occupies an area of 39,778 km2. The forested area represents 33,916 km2, of which 83% are public lands and 17% private. Productive and accessible forest lands in the public domain total 26,088 km2 and have a gross merchantable volume of 274 Mm3. Water and non-forested areas total 11% and 4%, respectively. The area of protected areas, parks and ecological reserves total 580 km2.

Public forests in Mauricie contain 88% of the gross merchantable volume available in the region. Softwood and mixedwood cover types predominate. Mean tree volume, all species included, is 105 m3/ha. According to the cover type, the area of accessible productive forest public lands is as follows: hardwood 17%, mixedwood 37%, softwood 40% and no cover 6%. The volume distribution by cover type is as follows: hardwood 21%, mixedwood 40%, and softwood 39%. Stands are generally relatively young, with those less than 60 years occupying 60% of the area. Gross merchantable volume is composed of 57% softwood and 43% hardwood. Softwoods mainly belong to the “spruce/fi r/jack pine/larch” group. Fir and spruce are dominant, although the proportion of jack pine is important. Hardwoods contain 31% of hard-hardwoods and 12% poplars.

Information source:


Map legend:

Mauricie Administrative Region . Day 2 − September 18, Batiscan (No 1 on map) and Trois-Rivières (No 2)

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 1, BerthierLanaudière Administrative Region (See Day 1 portrait and map p. 11)

Stop 2. Batiscan Mauricie Administrative Region

Notes



This text was summarized from a manuscript submitted to Forestry Chronicle as: Colas F., M. Perron, D. Tousignant, C. Parent, M. Pelletier and P. Lemay. A novel approach for the operational production of HL seeds under northern climatic conditions.

Berthier Forest Nursery

See the brochure Pépinière forestière de Berthier for a detailed presentation:

• fi rst forest nursery in Québec, established in 1908;• the only public nursery that produces

hard-hardwoods (containers and bareroot);• average seeding per year in containers: 3 million

conifers and 1 million hardwoods. Bareroot: 0.4 million hardwoods;

• other major crops: poplar and white spruce rooted cuttings.

Berthier Tree Seed Centre (BFSC)

See the brochure «Centre de semences forestières de Berthier» for a detailed presentation.

• the only tree seed centre in Québec. Supplies all tree seeds needed for seedling production in Québec;

• the seed centre has been in operation since 1908, with new equipment inaugurated in 1987;

• ten-year average quantity of softwood cones and hardwood seeds treated per year: 2000 hectolitres;

• 15 conifer species and 20 hardwood species treated at the Centre. Seeds are stored in the MRNF seed bank at Berthier.

Hybrid Larch plant needs for the reforestation program

Requirements for hybrid larch (HL) will be more than 550,000 in 2008, and will stabilize above 800,000 by 2012. All HL plants will be produced by a system of mass propagation by cuttings at the Saint-Modeste (Lower St. Lawrence) nursery. The annual production

target was set at 500,000 plants by the DGPSP (Direction générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles, ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune). To attain these production objectives, we judge that one seed can produce 15 deliverable plants. Seed needs are therefore set at nearly 32,000 per year. Before being shipped for reforestation, the plants must satisfy very rigorous quality control standards in terms of root development, stem straightness, etc.

Indoor Seed Orchard

Until 2003 the production of HL seeds was done by carrying out controlled crosses between selected JL and EL parents. Since then, seeds are produced by controlled mass pollination in indoor orchards.

Infrastructure

High or “cathedral” tunnels are conventional structures (Harnois, Ovaltech®, 7 m wide, 3.5 m in height at the centre and 2.6 m in height on the sides, with arches every 1.5 m) with arches modifi ed to increase their height to 4.6 m at the centre, reducing the width from 7 to 4.4 m (Fig. 1). In the fall, the shelters are covered with 6- mil polyethylene to prevent snow accumulation inside (Fig. 2).

The cover protects the trees from rain and frost. In addition, heat build-up ensures early fl ower development in the spring. The cover is removed immediately after fl ower pollination occurs, which provides optimal light conditions for cone development, tree growth and fl ower initiation.

Effect of springtime temperature

The closed cover increases the temperature within the shelters, which creates a “greenhouse effect” that accelerates fl ower development and hastens pollen dissemination and female fl ower receptivity, as compared to trees in the outdoors. This phenological lag helps eliminate the risk of pollen contamination with outdoor trees.

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 1, Berthier Berthier StationBy Fabienne Colas et Michèle Bettez

Figure 1. Dimensions of a conventional tunnel and a “cathedral” tunnel.

Figure 2. View of two “cathedral” tunnels during winter. The covers are in a lowered position. The steep pitch of the walls prevents the accumulation of snow on the structure.


Material

The European larch indoor seed orchard is composed of 27 clones, in which the number of copies varies from 1 to 28. The Japanese larch orchard is composed of 19 clones, with the number of copies varying from 1 to 36.

Grafts are cultivated in 104-L pots in a “double pot” system inserted in the ground. The wall of the interior pot is pierced in order to provoke aerial pruning of the roots (Fig. 3).

A layer of gravel about 2 cm thick is placed in the bottom of the exterior pot to help with drainage. Inserting pots in the ground saves 50 cm in height, and both stabilizes the trees and eases handling. Trees are placed in staggered rows to optimize available space and improve light penetration to the crowns (Fig. 4). Irrigation and fertilization is done using a drip system.

Figure 3. Grafts are grown using a “double pot” system. The upper pot is pierced to allow aerial root pruning to take place. The lower pot contains 2 cm of gravel to assist with drainage.

Figure 4. Summer view of Larix kaempferi in a “cathedral” tunnel. Pots are placed in staggered rows to facilitate spring operations.

Graft selection for pollen collection and pollination

After cone harvesting in the fall, trees with fl ower buds are identifi ed and then assembled in cathedral tunnels. The following spring, when it is easy to distinguish between male and female fl owers, the trees are selected either for pollen collection (minimum of 300 male fl owers per tree) or to be pollinated (minimum of 50 female fl owers per tree).

Pollen collection

Branches are tied together on trees having enough male fl owers, and then placed in a Kraft (DD60) paper bag that will be attached to the trunk (Figs. 5 and 6).

Pollen is then sieved (VWR, 120 mesh, 20 cm diameter, 5 cm high) to eliminate debris (cone scales, pieces of bark and twigs). It is ready to be used or stored.

Figure 5. Grafts whose branches are tied together to simplify bagging for pollen collection.

Figure 6. L. kaempferi graft bagged in the spring for pollen collection. The tree is tilted to facilitate pollen deposit. The bag is closed using pliers to assist with opening and collecting pollen (see arrows).


Figure 7. During pollen dispersal, pollen falls to the bottom of the bag and is collected using a vacuum.

Figure 8. Vacuum and nozzle used to collect pollen. Pollen accumulates in the bottle, which is emptied and cleaned between clones.

Pollination

On trees with enough female fl owers, all male fl owers are manually removed (emasculation) to ensure that seeds will be produced from the applied pollen. Pollen is applied using a portable electrostatic pistol (Gema Voltstatic model 11024, ITW Gema, Indianapolis, Il, USA) adapted from the model developed by the CEMAGREF (Philippe and Baldet 1997). The pistol and associated equipment are attached to a cart designed by the Forest Research Directorate that can be rapidly moved around in the tunnel (Fig. 9). Each graft is pollinated twice, two days apart, while the female fl owers are at their maximum receptivity (Fig. 10).

Figure 9. Cart designed to carry the electrostatic pistol and associated material (bottle of compressed air, battery for electricity, battery charger, and air fi lter) (photo Fabienne Colas).

Figure 10. Pollinating using a portable electrostatic pistol.

Cone harvesting and seed extraction

Cone harvesting is carried out in September and October. Cones are placed in cone bins for a period of at least eight weeks for post-maturation. Seed extraction and seed quality tests are done by the Berthier Forest Seed Centre. Extracted seeds are placed in a bank for future production of hybrid larch seedlings.

Reference:

PHILIPPE, G., P. BALDET, P. 1997. Electrostatic dusting: an effi cient technique of pollination in larch. Ann. Sci. Forest. 54: 301-310.


Michèle Bettez, agr.Development TeamBerthier Tree Seed Centre (BFSC)[email protected] 836-3787 poste 245

Fabienne Colas, biologiste, DESSResearcher, Seed and plant production (Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6526

Notes



Description

Principal objectiveProduction of Japanese larch seeds (Larix kaempferi [Lamb.] Carr.)adapted to the climate of the St. Lawrence River valley, Québec, Canada.

LocationMunicipality BatiscanProvince QuébecLatitude 46° 31’ 05’’ NLongitude 72° 15’ 03’’ WArea 1.8 haCurrent owner Gouvernement du Québec (since 1992)Owner when established Compagnie Internationale de papier du Canada (CIP)

Manager Direction générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles (DPSP) du ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec (MRNF)

Climate, soil and topographyMean annual precipitation 1 000 to 1 100 mmMean annual temperature 4 to 5 °CLength of growing season 170 to 180 daysAltitude 5.5 mSlope 0%Deposit Loam 45% sand – 34% silt – 21% claypH 5.09

Initial objective

Establish a Japanese larch seed orchard by retaining 800 of the best individuals in a progeny test of 8,000 trees selected for:

1. frost hardiness and absence of damage2. growth3. stem and crown form

Modifi ed objectiveEstablish a Japanese larch seed orchard of about 500 trees distributed from among the 20 best provenances selected according to the same criteria as those listed in the initial objectives.

First collaborators Service Canadien des Forêts (Institut forestier national de Petawawa) Ministère des forêts du Québec (Service de la Recherche forestière)

Material

8,000 bareroot Japanese larch trees, produced from 79 provenances, of which 42 are from Hokkaido Island, Japan. The 37 other provenances are divided among the following places: Honshu Island (Japan), Finland, Denmark, Germany, Scotland and Québec.

Dispositif expérimental

Dispositif initial constitué de 10 blocs (répétitions) de 20 parcelles. Une parcelle contenait 4 rangées (2 m entre les rangs) de 10 plants (1 m entre les plants sur la ligne) pour un total de 8 000 plants (10 blocs x 20 parcelles x 4 rangées x 10 plants) (Figure 1). Les 79 provenances (+ 1 répétée) se retrouvaient tous dans chacun des blocs selon un hasard partiellement contrôlé (à cause des 42 provenances d’Hokkaido).

Experimental design

Initial experimental design of 10 blocks (repetitions) of 20 plots. A plot contained 4 rows (2 m between rows) of 10 plants (1 m between plants in a row) for a total of 8,000 plants (10 blocks x 20 plots x 4 rows x 10 plants). The 79 provenances (+ 1 repeated) are found in each block using a partially controlled hazard design (because of the 42 provenances from Hokkaido).

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 2, BatiscanPart 1. Japanese Larch Seed OrchardBy André Dion


CHRONOLOGY OF MAIN ACTIVITIESEstablishmentof experiment

May 1980

October 1980 Planting 8,000 Japanese larch in the experimental layout.

October 1981 Measure the height of 800 plants (1 plant / provenance / block); Mean height of: 63.4 cm.

October 1983

Measure total height of all plants 2 years after planting;Total mean height: 1.12 m;Mean annual growth: 56 cm;Rate of survival: 93.7% (7,497 plants);Frozen terminal shoot: 35% of plants affected.

November 1986 Measure the total height of all trees 4 years after planting;Mean total height: 2.5 m.

May 1989

Measure the total height and diameter at breast height (DBH) of 593 trees uniformly distributed, 7 years after planting;Mean height: 5.5 m (variation of 2.6 to 8.1 m);Mean DBH: 7.6 cm (variation of 1.4 to 12.6 cm);Frozen terminal shoots observed on 15% of measured trees

September2003

Measure total height and DBH of all trees remaining in the experiment (3,500) 9 years after planting. Evaluation of tree form, branch angle, health condition and damage;

Mean height: 7.63 m (variation of 3.50 to 10.25 m);Mean DBH: 10.4 cm (variation of 3.0 to 17.4 cm);

Measure total height and DBH of 209 trees, representing the families retained for the 2nd generation;24 years after planting:Evaluation of tree form, branch angle, health condition and damage;Mean height:17.8 m (variation of 12.10 to 20.80 m);Mean DBH: 25.8 cm (variation of 17.8 to 37.2 cm).

ThinningsOctober 1983

October 1985 Cut about 3,000 trees, well distributed throughout the experimental area (37%) among the poorest performing subjects, 4 years after planting.

December 1990 Cut 1,480 dead trees or those very damaged by rodents (mice). 3,520 trees remain (44%) 6 years after planting.

December 1992 Cut 863 trees among the poorest performing subjects, 11 years after planting. 2,657 trees remain (33%).

Autumn 1995Cut 861 trees to eliminate some of the least performing provenances. Start of the conversion of the experiment into a seed orchard. 1,796 trees remain (22%).

Autumn 2006Cut 1,336 trees 16 years after planting. 460 trees remain (5.7% of initial number). Conversion of the experiment into a seed orchard using the 20 best provenances.

440 trees remain in the orchard following losses due to windthrow and other specifi c needs.

Cone harvests (needed to establish a seed reserve, but not done to capturethe orchard’s potential, which is much greater)

Automne 1994

Automne 2002 5.1 hectolitres

Automne 2005 0.5 hectolitre

Automne 2006 3.0 hectolitres


Figure 1. Seed Orchard plan.

Notes



Among all operations necessary to carry out controlled crosses in larch, pollen harvesting is the most arduous and most costly (Philippe et al. 2001).

The traditional method consists of 1) hand-harvesting male fl owers, one by one, ideally a few hours before the natural dissemation of pollen, and 2) extracting the pollen in the laboratory.

This technique is fraught with several diffi culties:

• Short harvesting period;• Many resources required;• Climatic constraints;• Delay of several days (i.e.: extraction in laboratory);• Risk of contamination of pollen lots when

dissemination is not synchronous.In order to overcome these problems and harvest quality pollen, while lowering costs and the time needed, the Direction de la Recherche Forestière developed a new technique for harvesting pollen that quickly proved itself.

Nature must not be forced!

Similar to harvesting pollen in tunnels, this new technique is based on the natural release of pollen. Note that the fi rst trial carried out based on this principle, was done here in the Batiscan orchard (photo 1) in 1999. Using this method, we can obtain pollen of excellent quality that is immediately available, or for easy longer-term storage.

Procedure

Harvesting pollen that is naturally released by bagging male fl ower-bearing branches is done a few days before dissemination. This permits us to retain this precious biological material that is essential to the success of advanced tree improvement programs (2nd generation and beyond), since the superior individuals in these advance generations must be obtained by controlled crossing. The pollen collection bag that we developed for outdoor use (photo 2) easily collects the pollen as it becomes available during the natural dissemination period, which usually lasts a few days. The bag has a stopper and a mesh at one extremity (photos 2 and 3) to facilitate the direct harvesting of pollen in bottles (photos 4 and 5), as soon as pollen starts to be released. Therefore, we avoid any deterioration caused by unfavourable weather conditions.

The outdoor pollen collection bag was developed using a bag to isolate female fl owers while doing controlled crosses. It is therefore fi tted with a window to assess the development of fl owers and to determine the most favourable time to intervene. Depending on fl owering abundance, it is possible to harvest about 1 to 30 ml of pollen from each bag, for European larch as well as Japanese larch.

Photo 1. First outdoor trial of pollen harvesting by bagging.

Photo 2. Pollen harvesting bag.

Day 2 − September 18, Stop 2, BatiscanPart 2. Pollen harvesting outdoors by baggingBy Gaston Lapointe et Martin Perron


Photo 3. Mesh covering the stopper, for a coarse sieving of pollen (elimination of twigs...)

Photos 4 and 5. Recovery of pollen in a bottle. Attaching the pollen bag takes only a few minutes. It is possible to bundle several branches together in the same bag if it can be secured against all contamination, using polystyrene foam.

In plantations of about 20 years of age, or trees 10 to 15 metres in height, we use a four-wheel-drive platform with a height of 20 metres (photo 6). The versatility of this equipment lets us target and easily reach branches with male fl owers and to carry out the bagging.

In addition, a protective bag was developed to ensure the harvest of quality pollen in spite of inclement weather. Because this harvesting system is being used outdoors, it must be able to deal with unfavourable weather conditions. We know that larch pollen is very vulnerable to humidity and that it is essential to protect it from any deteriorative effects that could greatly lower its viability.

The protective bag is only used when needed, that is, when there is a potential risk of rain or frost for two and three days following bagging (photo 7). The protective bag is placed over the pollen harvesting bag. It must remain open at all times to avoid condensation, which could lower pollen viability and even render it unusable. The protective bag has cords or ribbons to attach it fi rmly onto the chosen branches depending on their positions to allow air to freely circulate in the bag. We have observed that when using black protective bags we get superior quality pollen as compared to using clear bags. Condensation appears to be less in the harvesting bag and pollen viability was higher. No statistical tests were carried out because of the small number of trials with clear bags. The protective bag is also used to protect bagged fl owers from frost, since the layer of air between the harvesting bag and the protective bag serves as an insulator.

In summary, this new method of pollen harvesting seems very promising and entirely adapted to larch, since its fl owers are found more or less everywhere on the tree, and particularly on the branch tips, which facilitates the bagging process. Among the other advantages of this technique are the reduction of laboratory costs to a minimum, since the pollen does not have to be extracted, and the ability to use the pollen the same day it was harvested, if need be.

Though the technique could be perfected, it already provides excellent results for outdoor harvesting of pollen.

Photo 6. Platform used for bagging male fl owers.


Photo 7. Bags placed to provide protection from bad weather.

Reference:

PHILIPPE, G., P. BALDET, B. HEOIS. 2001. Mélèze hybride: les premiers fruits d’un mariage heureux. Dans: Les guides du sylviculteur. Le mélèze. (ed. Riou-Nivert, P.), pp. 28-33. Institut pour le développement forestier, Paris.


André Dion, ing.f.Forest Resources Team, La Tuque. Emballages Smurfi t-Stone Canada Inc.adion@smurfi t.com819 676-8100 poste 2849


Donatien Lévesque, ing.f.Responsible for larches with the la Division de la production des semences forestières, Direction générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles [email protected] 627-8660 4553


Notes



Portrait of the Capital City Administrative Region

The Duchesnay Tourism Station (No 1 on map) is located on the shores of Lake Saint-Joseph, 30 minutes northwest of Québec City (No 2 on map). Its forested area covers 89 km2, comprised mainly of sugar maple stands. The station is located within the Capital City Administrative Region (AR). This administrative region covers an area of 19,601 km2. The area of forested lands is 17,129 km2 of which 70% is public land and 30% private. Productive and accessible forests on public lands total 10,631 km2 and contain a gross merchantable volume of 79.8 Mm3. Water and non-forested lands make up 5% and 8% of the area respectively, with protected areas, parks and ecological reserves totalling 1,237 km2.Public forests in the Capital AR contain 66% of the gross merchantable volume available in the region. Softwood cover types are predominant. The average volume, all species combined, is 75 m3/ha. According to cover type, the area of accessible forest on public lands is distributed as follows: hardwoods 17%, mixedwood 29%, softwoods 43% and non-forested 10%. As a function of volume, the cover type breakdown is: hardwood 23%, mixedwood 33% and softwood 44%. The majority of stands are relatively young, with stands younger than 60 years occupying 69% of the area. Gross merchantable volume is made up of 64% softwoods and 36% hardwoods. Softwoods are mainly represented by the fi r/spruce/jack pine/larch group. Fir and spruce are the predominant two species, with hard hardwoods representing 31% of the hardwood cover type and poplars 5%.

Information source:


Map caption:

Capital City Administrative RegionDay 5 − September 21, Option 1. Duchesnay (No 1 on map) and Québec (No 2)

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1, 2, 3, 4, DuchesnayOption 1. Centre d’expérimentation et de greffage de Duchesnay Capital City Administrative Region

Notes



Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) are the principal species in Québec’s boreal forest. These are currently the most-harvested species in the northern part of the forest, and over three-quarters of reforested trees, or 120 million trees in 2006, are of these species. Given their economic importance, considerable efforts have been made for the last 35 years in developing tree improvement programs to increase plantation yields over their entire range.

From 1972 to 1984, several provenance tests (seed lots from a given area) were established in 17 arboretums throughout all the bioclimatic domains of Québec’s commercial forest area. This was done to study the genecological characteristics of the two species and to obtain quantitative information on the phenotypic variability in relation to various pedoclimatic conditions. The results were used to delineate tree improvement zones that constitute the territorial basis for developing varieties adapted to different bioclimatic domains in Québec. There are fi ve improvement zones for each of the species. From 1980 to 1990, networks of half-sib progeny tests and corresponding seed orchards, from plus trees selected in forest, were established throughout the territory (Figures 1 and 2). The latter were for the most part only thinned, that is, 30% to 50% of the poorest performing families were eliminated from the orchards, which now produce fi rst-generation improved trees. These orchards meet 80 to 85% of our reforestation needs.

Since 1996, we have undertaken 2nd generation improvement for both species by selecting superior trees (as parents of the 2nd generation) among the progeny tests distributed over the most important improvement zones for the two species (2 zones for jack pine and 3 for black spruce). Selection intensity is high, since we chose 300 trees per improvement zone among populations varying from 44,000 to 127,000 individuals, representing over 1000 half-sibs. These trees were reproduced by

cuttings (black spruce) or grafting (jack pine) to establish new clonal seed orchards and clone banks at the Centre d’expérimentation et de greffage de Duchesnay. These will be used to carry out controlled crosses. We have adopted an improvement strategy based on a core of highly performing trees (nucleus breeding). Crosses will be done intensively among the 100 best individuals making up the improvement population, strictly speaking, whereas a more limited number of crosses will be done with the 200 trees in the support population. Thus, 5 to 6 controlled crosses will be done using the best individuals in the improved population, whereas a maximum of two directed crosses will be done with trees from the support population. We want to produce from 200 to 300 full-sib progeny per improvement zone, which will then be evaluated in two or three experimental plantations in their original territory in the forest. A polymix will be used on all the clones to evaluate their general combining ability in three to fi ve experimental plantations in each improvement zone. The genetic gain in yield estimated for this new generation is from 13 to 15 m3 ha-1 at 35 years for black spruce and from 9 to 14 m3 ha-1 at 40 years for jack pine.

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, DuchesnayBlack spruce and jack pine tree improvement programs in QuébecBy Mireille Desponts

Québec

Granby

Rimouski

Montréal

Chicoutimi

Gatineau-Hull

50°

50°

49°

49°

48°

48°

47°

47°

46°

46°

45°

45°0 67 500 135 000 202 500 270 00033 750Meters Experimental sites

Figure 1. Location of experimental sites for the jack pine tree improvement program (map Olivier Noël).

Québec

Granby

Rimouski

MontréalSherbrooke

Chicoutimi

Gatineau-Hull

0 75 15037.5Kilomètres

50°

48°

46°

46°

48°

50°

Experimental sites

Figure 2. Location of experimental sites for the black spruce tree improvement program (map Gaétan Numainville).


Photo 1. Controlled crosses between selected trees in the black spruce clone bank at Duchesnay (photo Mireille Desponts).

Photo 2. Jack pine clone bank at Duchesnay, selected for the second generation (photo Fernand Gosselin).


In Québec, the initial plantings of Norway spruce (Piceaabies (L.) Karst) were done early in the 20th century, around 1915, in the Saint-Maurice area. From 1964 to today, close to 200 million trees have been planted, with a maximum of 18 million trees in 1988. The species became very popular thanks to its fast growth in plantations, which usually surpasses the performance of indigenous spruces. On the best sites in southern Québec, its mean annual growth can almost reach 10 m3/ha at 35 years. Because of its high productivity, signifi cant volume can be harvested at the time of intermediate thinnings.

White Pine Weevil

Norway spruce is very susceptible to the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck), which causes growth reduction and stem deformations. This problem resulted in a reduced rate of reforestation during the 1990s, with levels now hovering between 2 and 3 million per year, mainly in the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions. Recently, a study carried out with the Canadian Forest Service demonstrated that over the medium to long term, the production of lumber in Norway spruce plantations and its wood characteristics are very good, in spite of damage by the white pine weevil. In addition, in comparing two similar plantations, the amount and quality of Norway spruce lumber production was superior to white spruce that was not affected by the weevil. Also, work done in the past has allowed us to select trees with greater resistance to the weevil. The resistance of these clones will be validated by longer term tests. Currently, seeds produced from crossing some of these individuals are used to supply the Saint-Modeste cutting production centre, where 50,000 plants are produced annually. Also, variations observed among families in more recent tests open the door to longer term development of families with good resistance to or tolerance of the white pine weevil.

Tree Improvement Program Activities

Thanks to the results of the fi rst provenance tests established in 1969, the best sources for reforestation were identifi ed and plus trees were selected to establish fi rst-generation seed orchards. When fully productive, 5.7 M deliverable seedlings annually is expected to be produced from these orchards. For each one of the three breeding zones, a dozen superior provenances were recommended. Information from the provenance tests helped prepare recommendations for seed movement guidelines.

Afterwards, results obtained from progeny tests established in each zone in the 1990s helped with revising recommendations for the best seed sources. Currently, seeds are harvested from trees belonging to the best source in 1) genetic tests located at Lac-Saint-Ignace and Valcartier 2) superior commercial plantations, 3) the breeding orchard, 4) the fi rst generation seed

orchards. Among the best sources are provenances from Russia, Latvia and Poland, as well as some commercial plantations such as Proulx at Grandes-Piles, Proulx − “Semis +” at Duchesnay, Gould in the Eastern Townships and Hudson’s Place at Petawawa, Ontario.

In 2006, selection and grafting of some 150 plus trees were completed in order to begin preparing a new breeding population for the Bas-Saint-Laurent−Gaspésie zone. This population represents a unique source that combines height growth gains and tolerance to the white pine weevil. Also, the wood density trait will be considered in the near future. Some of these trees will be included in a new seed orchard for this breeding zone. The height growth gain expected from this orchard, comprised of 50 clones, is estimated at about 13% in comparaison to the well-known superior Proulx (M.P.) provenance at Grandes-Piles.

Informations source:

DAOUST, G., M.-J. MOTTET. 2006. Impact du charançon du pin blanc (Pissodes strobi Peck) dans les plantations d’épinettes de Norvège (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) - Partie 1: Productivité et qualité des sciages. For. Chron. 82(4): 538-549.

DAOUST, G., M.-J. MOTTET. 2006. Impact of the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi Peck) on Norway spruce plantations (Picea abies [L.] Karst.). Part 1: Productivity and lumber quality. For. Chron. 82(5): 745-756.

Day 5 − September 21, Stop 1-4, DuchesnayNorway Spruce in QuébecBy Marie-Josée Mottet

Photo 1. Test de provenances à l’arboretum de Lac Saint-Ignace, Gaspésie (Photo Marie-Josée Mottet).


Photo 2. Progeny test at Biencourt, Bas-Saint-Laurent (Photo Jean-Sébastien Joannette).

Photo 3. Proulx plantation at Grandes Piles (about age 80) (Photo Johanne Claveau).

MOTTET, M.-J., G. DAOUST, S. Y. ZHANG. 2006. Impact du charançon du pin blanc (Pissodes strobi Peck) dans les plantations d’épinette de Norvège (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Partie 2: Propriétés du bois des sciages. For. Chron. 82(5): 712-722.

MOTTET, M.-J., G. DAOUST,S. Y. ZHANG. 2006. Impact of the white pine weevil (Pissodes strobi [Peck]) on Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) plantations. Part 2: Lumber properties. For. Chron. 82(6): 834-843.


The initial efforts made to learn about white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss.) genetics date back to the end of the 1950s. At that time, the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) established ten provenance trials in several regions of Québec, which included each of the Ontario, Maritimes and Québec provenances. These trials were completed in the 1970s and 1980s by adding eight new tests that were composed of several hundred families, mainly from Québec. Among other things, the information obtained from these two series of tests helped identify the superior provenances those from the Great Lakes, which showed a volume gain of 19 to 53% in relation to Québec sources. They also led to the delineation of two seed source transfer zones for white spruce in Québec (Figure 1), as well as acquiring information on the density of plantation wood and its behaviour when dried (warping, fl exion, shrinkage), in concert with Laval University and Forintek Canada Corp. (Beaulieu et al. 2002; Beaulieu etal. 2006).

Figure 1. White spruce tree improvement zones (map Guildo Gagnon).

For its part, the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec (MRNF) launched an ambitious reforestation program in Québec in the early 1980s. In order to produce the required improved seeds to meet the needs of the planting program, between 1983 and 1991 it established a network of 17 1st generation white spruce seed orchards. Because the tree improvement work carried out by the CFS was not yet advanced and knowledge was still fragmented, the trees used to establish these seed orchards were mainly selected on a regional basis in natural forests. At the same time, the MRNF worked to develop a vegetative reproduction technique (cuttings), and fi nanced the development of somatic embryogenesis by a team of researchers at Laval University.

In 1996, the mission of the CFS took a different orientation, henceforth being focused on basic leading edge genetics research and on genetic engineering. For

white spruce, this redirection signifi ed that the MRNF now had the sole responsibility for tree improvement in Québec. It redoubled its efforts and established, with the material left by the CFS, several experimental plantations produced by controlled crosses between selected trees (ST), then two 2nd generation clonal seed orchards. The Direction de la Recherche Forestière (DRF) also undertook work to determine the genetic value of the clones in the 1st generation orchards; over a period of fi ve years, the clones in each orchard were evaluated in three progeny trials two fi eld tests and an early test, similar to the one located in block 12 at the Centre d’expérimentation et de greffage de Duchesnay (CEGD). In 2002 and 2003, the DRF also undertook several hundred controlled crosses in a new ST population. All the trees that are selected in tree improvement experiments located throughout the province are reproduced by grafting and brought together at the CEGD to continue the improvement work. The improved 2nd generation white spruce population in Québec is therefore comprised of 240 ST. In coming generations, when controlled crosses are done to determine the genetic value of these trees, we will use a polymix (balanced mix of pollen) composed of 20 trees for which the crossing value is zero; that is, it will provide a more accurate evaluation of the selected trees. This pollen will be collected in block 11 at the CEGD.

Photo 1. Second generation white spruce seed orchard, Berthier nursery. (Photo Régis April).

Just how are these efforts coming along, in terms of the proportion of improved seedlings and plantation yields? Firstly, white spruce is the third most important species in Québec, in terms of the number of trees planted (Figure 2). A high proportion (87%) of them are from improved sources, principally 1st generation orchards, but the 2nd generation orchards, established in 1999, have already started to produce seeds. The expected yields in plantations established with improved white spruce are presented in Figure 3. At a more advanced

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, DuchesnayThe white spruce tree improvement program in QuébecBy André Rainville


level of improvement, if we choose to make crosses among the selected trees rather than let them reproduce in a seed orchard by open pollination, the expected yield from plantations established using this material is 5.6 m3

ha-1 yr-1 in the balsam fi r domain, or 25% greater than for plantations established using seeds from natural stands, and 6.9 m3 ha-1 yr-1 in the sugar maple domain. Starting in 2007, the DRF is seriously involved in multi-clonal forestry. In fact, the will to capitalize on the growth difference that exists between seeds from the same controlled cross led to planting the fi rst clonal tests. A large number of clones will also be continuously evaluated (about 200 clones per year).

Figure 2. Seedling production in 2007, by species.

Figure 3. Estimated merchantable volume at 60 years total age for white spruce plantations by ecological domain, and the degree of genetic improvement (without selecting the best sites; percentile rank 75).

Today Québec’s white spruce tree improvement programs are the basis of new collaborative projects. For example, new powerful tools are now being developed, among others those in genomics, to permit selecting trees that will have better yields and which will produce more wood of better quality, while reducing the time required for selection (marker-aided selection). With adequate silviculture, Québec is well positioned to increase its forestry production and set milestones that will help us increase the areas devoted to conserving our genetic resources.

References:

BEAULIEU, J., S. Y. ZHANG, Q. YU, A. RAINVILLE. 2006. Comparison between genetic and environmental infl uences on lumber bending properties in young white spruce. Wood and Fibre Science, 38 (3): 553-564.

BEAULIEU, J., B. GIRARD, Y. FORTIN. 2002. Effect of drying treatments on warping of 36-year-old white spruce seed sources tested in a provenance trial. Ann. For. Sci. 59: 503-509.

58%21%

15%

6%

Black SpruceJack PineWhite SpruceOther conifers

143

266

322

149

280

345

157

306

374

169

333

412

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

500

1 2 3

Mer

chan

tabl

e Vo

lum

e (m

3 /ha)

Natural StandFirst Generation Seed OrchardSecond Generation Seed OrchardControlled Crosses

Maple StandFir StandSpruce Stand


Part 1. Management of 2nd generation Seed Orchard

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) top-grafting trial (in collaboration with M. Desponts).

Principal objective

Develop an outdoor grafting technique for black spruce plantations to infi ll gaps at the least cost in 2nd generation seed orchards.

Material

• Root stock: black spruce cuttings planted in 2001.• Scions: sampled on 8 trees selected and harvested

in 4 tests in the Côte Nord black spruce breeding zone. Depending on the clone, the number of copies grafted is between 7 and 21.

Method

• Grafting was done in May 2005, before root stock budbreak. If possible, the choice of root stock should provide good diameter compatibility between the terminal shoot and the scion;

• The classic side veneer grafting method was used. The grafted area is protected by a white plastic bag for one to two weeks;

• Root stock is regularly pruned to ensure that the graft takes.

The high failure rate is mainly due to poor compatibility between the diameter of the scions and the root stock. However, the fi rst fl owering was observed in May 2007, two years after grafting.

Part 2. Integration of somatic embryogenesis in orchard management

Black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) plantation. Plants grown from seeds off clones produced by somatic embryogenesis (in collaboration with M.S. Lamhamedi).

Since 2001, we have female fl owering in a black spruce clonal test established in 1997, produced by somatic embryogenesis. This plantation is part of the fi rst demonstration clonal tests (from clones) established in Québec.In 2003 and 2004, 8 clones were pollinated with a mixture of pollen collected from 1999 to 2002, from a 1st generation seed orchard. Pollen was held in a pollen bank belonging to the ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune. In all, for the two pollination years, we produced 16 seedlots, of which the female parent was a clone produced by somatic embryogenesis. The seeds were extracted and classifi ed according to the international standards of the ISTA (1999).

The plants were grown in IPL 25-350 containers at the Saint-Modeste (Bas-Saint-Laurent, Québec), forest tree nursery, using standard production methods. Control seedlings were produced using seeds from three 1st generation seed orchards currently being used for seedling production in Québec.

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, DuchesnayManaging second-generation seed orchards and integration of somatic embryogenesis in orchard managementBy Fabienne Colas, Mohammed S. Lamhamedi and Mireille Desponts

Tree No Number of grafts No of living grafts May 07 Success (%) No of grafts fl owering in

2007

1419 22 7 31,8 21421 19 7 36,8 01435 7 1 14,3 01440 21 5 23,8 11467 16 5 31,3 01476 17 5 29,4 11484 17 8 47,1 01490 17 5 29,4 1

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Results

Photo 1. a) Black spruce after grafting in the plantation. The graft, done in May 2005, fl owered in 2007. b) Black spruce graft with female fl owers (see arrows) two years after grafting. (Photos Fabienne Colas).


During the two years of nursery production, we evaluated several of the plants’ morpho-physiological variables (growth, mineral nutrition, etc.). Two-year-old plants were planted in May 2007 in a plot at the Centre d’expérimentation et de greffage de Duchesnay. Spacing between trees is 3.5 x 2 m. The plot is divided into six complete randomized blocks. In each block, we planted four plants/seedlot in a row. These were distributed randomly within each block.

Our preliminary results indicate that the growth, morpho-physiological quality and development of the plants produced from seedlots that were produced by clones are comparable to those grown from seeds produced in seed orchards. Preliminary results from this project were presented at the poster session of a IUFRO Tree Seed Symposium. The poster and the abstract are available on the Symposium’s CD.

Photo 2. Plantation of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) BSP) plants in June 2007. The plants were produced from seeds of trees grown by somatic embryogenesis (Photo Fabienne Colas).

Reference:

ISTA. 1999. Règles internationales pour les Essais de Semences 1999. Seed Sci. & Technol. 27 (Supplément 1): 1-362

Information source:

COLAS F., M. S. LAMHAMEDI, 2006. Quality of seeds produced from different black spruce (Picea mariana) somatic clones. Affi che et résumé présentés au IUFRO Tree Seed Symposium, Fredericton (Nouveau-Brunswick), 18-21 juillet 2006.

Information persons:

Fabienne Colas, biologiste, DESSResearcher, Seed and plant production (Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6526

Mireille Desponts, biologiste, Ph. D.Researcher, Black spruce and jack pine tree improvement (Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6567

Mohammed S. Lamhamedi, agr., ing.f., M. Sc., Ph. D.Researcher, Ecophysiology and plant production (Direction de la recherche forestière) [email protected] 643-7994 poste 6553

Marie-Josée Mottet, ing.f., M. Sc.Researcher, Norway spruce tree improvement and selection of canker-resistant hybrid poplar(Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6549

André Rainville, ing.f., M. Sc.Researcher, White spruce tree improvement(Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6548


Portrait of the Lower St. Lawrence Administrative Region

The Saint Modeste nursery is located in the municipality of Saint Modeste (No 1 on map), about 20 kilometers southeast of Rivière du Loup (No 2 on map). The municipality is also part of the Municipal Regional County of Rivière du Loup and the Lower St. Lawrence Administrative Region (AR). This AR has an area of 22,637 km2. Forested land covers 19,320 km2, of which 70% are public lands and 30% private property. Accessible, productive forests on public land totals 10,833 km2, and have a gross merchantable volume of 99.9 Mm3. Water and non-forested land make up 2% and 13% of the area, respectively. The area of protected areas, parks and ecological reserves totals 160 km2.

Public forests in the Lower St. Lawrence AR contain 61% of the gross merchantable volume in the region. Softwood and mixedwood cover types are predominant. The average volume, all species included, is 92 m3/ha. According to cover type, the area of accessible and productive forest is distributed as follows: hardwood 16%, mixedwood 31%, softwood 45% and no cover 8%. In terms of volume by cover type the breakdown is as follows: hardwoods 19%, mixedwoods 33% and softwoods 31%. Stands belonging to age class 60 cover 62% of the area. Gross merchantable volume is composed of 65% softwoods and 35% hardwoods. Softwoods are principally in the fi r/spruce/jack pine/larch group. Fir is the predominant species, with hard hardwoods representing 26% and poplars 9% of the hardwood type.

Map caption:

Lower St. Lawrence Administrative RegionDay 5 − September 21, Option 2. Saint Modeste (No 1 on map) and Rivière du Loup (No 2)

Information source:

Ministère des Ressources Naturelles. 2002. Rapport sur l’état des forêts québécoises, 1995-1999. 272 p.

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1, 2, 3, 4, Saint-ModesteOption 2. Saint-Modeste NurseryLower St. Lawrence Administrative Region

Notes



General Presentation

Confi dent of its mission and proud of its staff, the Saint-Modeste nursery (photos 1-2) is happy to welcome you. This enterprise is an important asset in the regional economy of the Bas-St-Laurent. The 400-odd employees (7 permanent, 125 seasonal and about 270 casuals in rush periods) share a payroll of almost $3.7 M per year, which is in addition to expenditures on goods and services in the order of $1.5 M, of which half is paid to companies in the region.

Our Mission

To meet the needs of our clients:

• Supply at competitive prices, trees that meet the highest quality standards;

• Actively contribute to genetic improvement programs for seeds and plants;

• Develop and employ leading-edge production techniques.

Our Values

To accomplish our mission, we promote the involvement of all personnel by maintaining a work environment where sharing, mutual assistance, confi dence and respect prevail.

Since its establishment in 1961, the production level of the Saint-Modeste nursery has adjusted to meet the reforestation needs of Québec (Table 1). From 1985 to 1992, the considerable increase in demand for trees, combined with the start of containerized seedling production, triggered an expansion of the production area from 50 to 90 hectares. Production reached a peak in 1987, with 32 M plants produced. Since 1993, annual production has stabilized at about 10 M shippable plants, in order to adjust to two major changes in Québec’s reforestation strategy: the increasing interest in natural regeneration and the advent of large-dimension plants (LDP). Also, it was during this period that the fi rst cutting-propagated plants were produced, as a result of several years of selection and improvement efforts by the Ministry. The Bouturathèque system (1989) and the double-walled exterior enclosure (1998), both designed by the MRNF, offer two unique and complementary approaches to cutting propagation of black spruce (Picea mariana),white spruce (P. glauca), Norway spruce (P. abies), and hybrid larch (Larix x marschlinsii). In 2001, a production facility for somatic embryogenesis was established. This technique will allow us to multiply top-performing clones at a large scale and to accelerate their use.

Table 1. Evolution of production objectives and products at the Saint-Modeste nursery.

Périod Average annual production (shippable plants)

1961 – 1984 6 M bareroot plants

1985 – 1992 12 M bareroot plants 13 M containerized plants

1993 – 2007

Approximately 10 M plants. In 2007:

• 3.5 M bareroot plants (of which 2.0 M were propagated by cuttings);

• 4.5 M containerized LDP, of which 2.0 M were produced by cuttings);

• 2.1 M plants of smaller dimension.

Hybrid larch production by cuttings

• Since 1998, Saint Modeste’s larch cutting propagation programs enables the multiplication of genetically improved seeds, which are now produced in the indoor hybrid orchard at the Berthier nursery. The annual production target for hybrid larch is 500,000 shippable plants, which necessitates harvesting about 850,000 cuttings. The Saint-Modeste nursery also produces 3.5 M shippable white spruce, black spruce and Norway spruce plants from cuttings.

Day 5 − September 21, Stops 1-4, Saint-ModesteSaint-Modeste NurseryBy Denise Tousignant, Laurence Tremblay, Michel Rioux, Jean-Yves Guay, Alain Bonneau and Corine Rioux

Photos 1-2. Aerial view of the Saint-Modeste nursery (Photos Jocelyn Landry).


• The current scenario for HL cutting production is based on three consecutive harvests of cuttings on one-year-old stock plants grown in 4-L pots (Table 2). This approach yields up to 100 top-quality cuttings per stock plant. The stock plants used for this operation are available for reforestation the following spring.

• Growing stock plants in 4-L pots was done for the fi rst time in 2006. From a single year of harvest, we are able to attain a multiplication factor in the order of 60 shippable plants per stock plant. Using this scenario we only harvest cuttings from one-year-old stock plants, which have the highest rooting capacity. At the same time, problems of plagiotropism and stem curvature, which occur when cuttings are taken from older stock plants and prevent attaining production standards, are eliminated.

• When stock plants are kept for a second year of cutting harvest, we can expect a reduction in rooting percentage (1-year-old stock plants: 85–90% rooting; 2- and 3-year old stock plants: 60–65% rooting) and in the quality of cuttings after transplanting, which translates into a higher proportion (up to 50%) of rejected plants (bent stems related to plagiotropism).

Table 2. Production calendar for hybrid larch stock plants at the Saint-Modeste nursery.

Year Month Production stage

1

Late AprilSeeds sown in 15 700 containers (15 cavities of 700 cm3)

May– October

Growth in tunnel, ending with a hardening-off period in greenhouse

November Cold storage at 40C

2

EndFebruary– May

Transfer to greenhouse. Transplant to 4-L pots. Forced growth in greenhouse

Early May 1st harvest

Mid June 2nd harvest

Mid July 3rd harvest

• Softwood cuttings are collected during the active growth phase. The work is done manually, using scissors (Photo 3a), allowing the selection of cuttings within the optimal length range (7 to 10 cm) (Photo 3b). Shoots that are too short are left on the stock plants to continue growing.

• Cuttings are stuck in a 45 110 container (45 cavities of 110 cc) with a peat moss and perlite substrate (40%:60% v:v) (Photos 3e, f). Beforehand, each container is moistened (Photo 3c), and holes are preformed in the cavities (Photo 3d). During the cutting operation for HL, productivity is about 3,300 cuttings per person per day (harvesting, sticking and handling). In comparison, productivity

is about 4,300 per day for black spruce (BS) and up to 6,000 per day for white spruce (WS).

• Cuttings are then placed in double-walled enclosures and tightly sealed (Photos 3g, h). Water is applied with both a spray robot and a central misting line. Irrigation control takes into account air temperature and relative humidity in each enclosure, in order to maintain needles moist and hold the vapour pressure defi cit below 1.0 to 1.5 kPa.

• After 12 weeks, 85% of the cuttings show new roots. Following a period of acclimatization, the rooted cuttings are lowered to the fl oor and spend the winter outside. Transplanting for bareroot or large-dimension container stock is done the following spring. Cuttings are delivered to reforestation two years later as large-dimension plants.

• Rooting trials are underway using low-volume containers (Jiffy® 18 mm plugs) with hardwood (dormant) cuttings, and could lead to adjustments in the current methodology, especially by opening the way to mechanized transplanting.

Production of plants using somatic embryogenesis

The MRNF is working to establish an operational somatic embryogenesis technique (SE), used at Saint-Modeste since 2001. The fi rst phase involves white spruce, and hybrid larch is the second. Compared to traditional methods, and in complement to cutting propagation, SE allows the multiplication of very large numbers of plants and accelerates the use of improved or selected individuals. The main advantage of the technique is the ability to use liquid nitrogen (cryoconservation) to preserve material (embryonic tissue) being evaluated in plantations. Plants produced by SE are evaluated in the nursery and in clonal tests where the best individuals will be selected according to predefi ned criteria. These selected clones are then propagated to produce plants for reforestation. They can also be integrated into genetic improvement programs and in mating designs for the selection of the next generation of improvement.

Through SE it is possible to obtain a limitless number of somatic embryos from a single seed (= clone). These somatic embryos will become plants whose genotype will be identical to the initial seed. An example of the steps to produce white spruce plants by SE is presented in Table 3 and Figure 1. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the integration of SE in the MRNF’s plant production chain.

Producing plants from SE will lead to the establishment of clonal tests, the production of stock plants for cuttings production and the study of clonal variability. To date the SE laboratory at Saint-Modeste has produced 13,000 plants from a single clone previous to 2004, and 3,860 plants from 80 clones in 2004. Among these clones, 52 will be planted on reforestation sites in 2007 to establish a fi rst clonal test. More than 9,000 plants produced from 163 new clones in 2005 are being grown to establish a second clonal test. In 2006, 300 new clones were selected to establish a third clonal test. In addition, all clones produced were frozen in liquid nitrogen at -196˚C (cryoconservation).


Photos 3 a-h. Production stages for hybrid larch cuttings using double-walled enclosures at the Saint-Modeste nursery: a) First harvest of cuttings in May from greenhouse-forced stock plants; b) softwood cuttings collected at a length of about 7 cm; c) misting water to stabilize the water content of rooting containers; d) perforation of rooting medium and installation of containers on a conveyor; e) operation of cutting sticking; f) detailed view of inserting a cutting; g) exteriorview of a double-walled rooting enclosure; h) interior view of a double-walled rooting enclosure. (Photos P. Lemay, N. Robert and D. Tousignant).

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Container production of conifer plants by cuttings

After having overwintered outside (Photos 4a, b), the cuttings are transplanted with the production of large-dimension plants as an aim (height of 35 cm or more with a balanced H/D ratio). To do this, cuttings are transplanted either bareroot or in larger containers (15-320 cc or 25-310 cc), and grown for two years in the nursery. Production goals for container-transplanted cuttings are in the order of 400,000 HL, 700,000 BS and 700,000 WS.

Transplanting takes place from May 10 to June 10, approximately. White spruce, the most sensitive species to transplant stress, is transplanted fi rst, while still dormant. It is followed by hybrid larch, for which we wait for bud break to occur, to correctly distinguish between live cuttings from those that have no roots.

Maintenance of rooted cuttings before transplanting

One or two fertilizations (3 to 4 mg N/plant/application) are carried out before beginning transplanting operations.

Irrigation is managed to maintain a minimum water content in the substrate of 40 to 50% of its weight at saturation.

Preparation of cuttings

Cuttings are extracted from their container, shaken to remove the substrate (Photos 4c, d), then placed in basins lined with moistened jute, a portion of which will be used to cover the roots. During extraction, the containers are always lain on their side to avoid tearing the roots that have grown under the container from the stem. This simple precaution prevents important losses, because HL cuttings are particularly fragile where new roots attach to the stem.

Because the HL cuttings have begun to break bud, they must remain in the basins for as short a time as possible (maximum of one night), or the foliage will quickly become moldy.

Selection and transplanting cuttings

At the time of transplanting, cuttings are chosen according to their vigour (presence of new foliage) and the presence of at least one root measuring 1 cm or more in length. To facilitate insertion in the new cavity, roots that are too long are trimmed to 7 to 10 cm, or the width of a hand. Each cutting is then transplanted with a fork, directly through

the silica (Photo 4f). The operation is carried out in the fi eld, with rolling tables that advance over the production area (Photo 4e).

The 25-310 or 15-320 containers are fi lled with a mixture of peat and vermiculite (80:20, v:v), with a layer of silica on the surface. The potting density is 0.10 g/cm3, with a moisture level of 75%. Before transplanting, the top of the containers is moistened.

If the weather is sunny, recently transplanted cuttings are irrigated for 15 minutes at noon and at the end of the day.

Care of plants after transplanting

Transplanted cuttings are grown for two years then shipped for reforestation in the spring of the third year (Photos 4g, h), as large-dimension plants. For a lot to be accepted, it must meet the MRNF quality standards for this type of plant, which is a minimum height of 35 cm, a maximum height: diameter ratio of 7.5, and an incidence of defects lower than 15%.

HL plants grown from cuttings, especially if they come from stock plants that are two years old or older, can show plagiotropism (10–15% of plants), forks or multiple leaders. Corrective pruning is done the fall after transplanting or the following spring. Plants are sorted before shipping to remove those with defects.

Containers are lifted 10 cm-high on metal lattices to prevent the roots from anchoring in the soil. In the fall, they are lowered to the ground to ensure winter protection.

Cultural management is similar to standard seedlings:

• irrigation: watering to saturation when the substrate reaches 40% moisture content;

• weed control: the fi rst year, one application of Devrinol® (8 kg/ha) is done after transplanting, followed by two to three manual weedings until autumn. In early May of the second year, a herbicide (Princep 9T®, 1.3 kg/ha) is applied, with one manual weeding done during the summer;

• insect control: if necessary, a treatment is done to suppress Lygus bug (Lygus spp.) in early July;

• disease control: each autumn, a fungicide (Senator®) is applied on the foliage to prevent winter molds.

Steps Description

Induction Production of embryonic tissue using a zygotic embryo extracted from a seed.

Maintenance Multiplication of embryonic tissue, which will remain at an early-embryo stage. This tissue is placed in cryoconservation (in liquid nitrogen).

Maturation Development of somatic embryos at the cotyledonary stage.

Germination Development of somatic embryos into plantlets. This is comparable to germination of a seed (growth of functional shoot and root system).

Acclimatization Indispensable stage for the survival and growth of the plantlets.

Soil transfer Transfer to soil of acclimatized plantlets for growing in a greenhouse.

Table 3. Description of the principal steps involved to obtain plants by SE.


Figure 1. Example of the stages of plant production for white spruce by somatic embryogenesis (Laurence Tremblay).

Step 1: Induction (3 to 10 weeks)

Step 6: Transfer to soil

Cryoconservation

Somatic embryos are mature after 5 weeks of maturation

Zygotic embryo

Megagametophyte

Dissection of the immature seed

Step 5: Acclimatation(1 week)

Growing the zygotic embryo

Obtaining embryogenic tissue

Multiplication of embryogenic tissue

Somatic plantlets obtained after 12 weeks of germination

Step 4: Germination (10 to 12 weeks)

Step 3: Maturation (4 to 6 weeks)

Step 2: Maintenance (unlimited multiplication)


Figure 2. Integration of SE in the plant production chain at the MRNF (Lamhamedi et al. 2006, 4e Atelier technique sur la production de plants forestiers au Québec, Québec, Canada).

Figure 3. Example of plants produced by SE, showing clonal variability. Characterization of morpho-physiological variables and the rooting aptitude for cuttings will be undertaken. (M. Lamhamedi).

Transfer and plant production

Controlled crosses

Induction, maintenance, maturation and

germination of embryos

Immature or mature seeds

Cryoconservation

Clonal tests: Quality of pollen, seeds and plants

Characterization of controlled crosses

Clonal variability of plants

Multi-criteria selection

High-productivityplantations

Family variabilityStock plant productionCutting propagation

Stock plant productionCutting propagation

New orchards

ExistingOrchards

Clonal effect

Plants produced by SE, 1st season Plants produced by SE, 2nd season


Photos 4 a-h. The production stages of hybrid larch containerized plants produced from cuttings at the Saint-Modeste nursery: a) Cuttings that rooted the previous year and ready to be transplanted at the start of the season; b) Detailed view of hybrid larch cuttings ready to be transplanted; c) Shaking of cuttings to extract them from rooting containers; d) detailed view of cuttings after shaking; e) transplanting operation of cuttings into 5–320 containers; f) detailed view of manual transplanting of cuttings; g) general view of a section of transplanted cuttings, after one growing season; h) general view of containerized production areas of transplanted cuttings of several species. (Photos P. Lemay, N. Robert and D. Tousignant).

aa bb

cc dd

ee ff

gg hh


• fertilization – fi rst year: after transplanting, only a minimal fertilization is done, because rapid growth of HL must be controlled to avoid having the plants reach an excessive height the following year. In mid-August, fertilization ceases to allow hardening off. From late September to late October, fertilization is resumed to increase the nitrogen tissue content to about 2.2 to 2.3%. The mean height of plants borders on 15 to 18 cm, with a mean total mass of 2,400 mg;

• fertilization – second year: from early May to mid-June, a low dose of fertilizer is applied weekly. Afterwards, fertilization is stopped until bud set, and is then continued until the end of the season until the percent nitrogen in the tissues reaches 2.2 to 2.3%. The average height at this time is 35 to 40 cm, with a mean total mass of 8,400 mg.

Containerized production of conifer seedlings

• The useable production area is 26,000 m2 of greenhouse tunnels, or the equivalent of 4.5 M large-dimension plants (Table 4). The different species produced are, in order of importance: white spruce, black spruce, larches, balsam fi r, Norway spruce, red spruce and red pine. The great majority of seedlings are produced as large-dimension plants. Large-dimension white spruce is one of the most diffi cult species to produce because it requires a fi nely tuned production regime (Table 5).

Our production technique includes the following activities, throughout the two years of production:

• regular inspection of crops (presence of pathogens, insects and weeds);

• periodic monitoring of moisture in the substrate.A too-abundant or too-light irrigation hinders the normal development of the root system and, consequently, the plant’s development. The aim is to maintain a 25% moisture content (v:v);

• establishment of production standards for each species and type of plant. These are references curves ajusted to the season, for height, diameter, biomass, and the concentration of minerals in the substrate and tissues. These standards are the basis for the fertilization schedule;

• monitoring the crop bi-weekly (substrate and tissue mineral content, stem and root biomass, height and diameter) assists in periodically revising the fertilization schedule;

• in the spring of the shipping year, all plants must be verifi ed for quality before leaving the nursery, using criteria based on morphology, size and quality. Usually, classifi cation of plants is done before shipping because a minimum of 85% of shipped plants must pass the quality control standards. From a quality standpoint, there are 20 possible rejection criteria, of which one is “Insuffi cient roots” (for the plant to be accepted the rooting plug must be intact and able to undergo normal handling.

• our growing season is from late April to the end of October. We accumulate between 2,200 and 2,500 degree-days, above a 1°C threshold. The fi rst year, seedlings are grown in unheated greenhouse tunnels, and the second and last year of production they are grown outdoors.

Additional information:

LAMHAMEDI, M. S., F. COLAS, D. TOUSIGNANT, L. TREMBLAY,A. RAINVILLE, J. Y. GUAY, C. OUELLETTE, M. RIOUX. 2006. Intégration de l’embryogenèse somatique dans la fi lière de production de plants forestiers du Québec. Affi che présentée dans le cadre du 4e Atelier technique sur la production de plants forestiers au Québec, Québec. ISBN 2-550-46934-8.

TOUSIGNANT, D., P. PÉRINET et M. RIOUX. 1996. Le bouturage de l’épinette noire à la pépinière de Saint-Modeste.Ministère des Ressources naturelles du Québec. Pépinière de Saint-Modeste et Direction de la recherche forestière. 33 pages.

TOUSIGNANT, D. et M. RIOUX. 2002. Le bouturage des résineux à la pépinière de Saint-Modeste (Québec, Canada) : 10 ans de recherche, de développement et d’innovations. Dans : Verger, M. (éd.). Multiplication végétative des ligneux forestiers, fruitiers et ornementaux. Actes [CD-ROM]. Montpellier, France: CIRAD-INRA, p. 65-86. Troisième rencontre du groupe de la Sainte-Catherine, 22-24/11/2000, Orléans, France.

Table 4. Categories of seedlings produced in containers, and indication of the morphological criteria desired at the time of shipping (quality A1).

ProductProduction

density(seedglings/m2)

Cavity volume (cm3)

Individual mean height (cm)

Height/DiameterRatio (cm/mm)

Minimum tissue concentration

of N

Large dimensions

200 310 35 6.5 1.7 %

Average dimensions

300 200 27 6.5 1.7 %

Smalldimensions

570 110 18 6.5 1.7 %


Table 5. Schedule of the main production techniques for large-dimension white spruce grown in containers.

Month First year (1+0) Second year (2+0)End of winter

• Seed stratifi cation;• Use of seeds of calibre 1–2–3 (excluding small

seeds; calibre 4.

Removal of winter covers immediately after the snow melt; Moving containers to outdoor growing areas.

April • Seeding early in the season (late April 2.5 viable seeds/cavity);

• Growing substrate composed of 80% peat and 20% vermiculite (v:v). Volumetric density of the substrate: 0.10 g/cm3.

Placing containers on raised supports at least 10 cm off the ground for aeration and cavity drainage. The root system develops only within the cavity and growing conditions are optimized;Fertilization begins as soon as the substrate thaws.

May • Containers placed in greenhouse tunnels (covered with opaque polyethylene) on supports raised 10 cm off the ground;Daily surface irrigation during the germination phase;Manual thinning to one plant per cavity (the most vigorous and the most centred);GTemperature management in sheltered areas (opening side panels when the temperature rises above 30˚C);Low-intensity supplementary lighting immediately upon starting the growing period to stimulate stem growth (18-hour photoperiod).

Throughout the entire active growing period, fertilizations are divided (2 applications per week) to reduce the risk of leaching minerals;The fertilization schedule incorporates the contract standards for minimum nitrogen concentrations in plants at the time of shipping.

June

July

August • Ceasing artifi cial lighting to initiate hardening off.

Sept. Closure of aeration panels in greenhouse tunnels to maintain raised temperatures, stimulate root development and hardening off of the seedlings.

October Removal of polyethylene in greenhouse tunnels.

Containers placed on the ground.

Nov. Installation of a winter cover to minimize risk of root freezing (If seedlings are 10 cm or more in height, there is a high risk of stem breakage);1+0 target size: biomass - 1200 mg, height - 9 cm, stem/root ratio – 3.0, tissue concentration of N close to 3%.

Installation of snow fencing to provide winter protection for the root system and the stem.

TREMBLAY L. et M. S. LAMHAMEDI, 2006. Embryogenèse somatique au ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune du Québec: du laboratoire au site de plantation. Des plants et des Hommes 9 (3): 6-11.

TREMBLAY, L., J.-Y. GUAY, C. OUELLETTE et M. S. LAMHAMEDI.2006. L’embryogenèse somatique au Québec: une technologie très prometteuse pour la foresterie multi-clonale de haute productivité. Affi che présentée dans le cadre du 4e Atelier technique sur la production de plants forestiers au Québec, Québec. ISBN 2-550-46934-8.

TREMBLAY L., M. S. LAMHAMEDI, F. COLAS, D. TOUSIGNANT,A. RAINVILLE, G. PRÉGENT, J.-Y. GUAY, M. RIOUX, et J. BEAULIEU, 2006. White spruce in Québec: a multidisciplinary approach for enhancing forest productivity. Dans 30e rencontre de l’Association canadienne des améliorateurs d’arbres (ACAA) / Canadian Tree Improvement Association (CTIA), Tree Seed Working Group, Charlottetown (Île-du-Prince-Édouard), 24 juillet 2006, p. 7 Section 6.



Alain Bonneau, ing.f.Nursery Director(Pépinière de Saint-Modeste)[email protected] 862-5511 poste 224

Jean-Yves Guay, tech. f. sp.Technical Team Manager(Pépinière de Saint-Modeste)[email protected] 862-5511 poste 237

Corine Rioux, tech. f. sp,Technical Manager for Container Production (Pépinière de Saint-Modeste) [email protected] 862-5511 poste 229

Michel Rioux, tech. f. sp, B.Sc.Manager of Cuttings Operations (Pépinière de Saint-Modeste)[email protected] 862-5511 poste 223

Denise Tousignant, biologiste, M.Sc.Researcher, Cuttings and Tree Reproduction(Direction de la recherche forestière)[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6527

Laurence Tremblay, biologiste, M.Sc.Researcher, Conifer Somatic Embryogenisis(Direction générale des pépinières et des stations piscicoles et Direction de la recherche forestiè[email protected] 643-7994 poste 6704

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