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The Wisconsin Forest Tree Improvement Program

The Wisconsin forest tree improvement program is a long-term collaborative effort between the Division of Forestry and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology.

The program promotes establishment of seedlings that are well adapted to Wisconsin's growing conditions and have a high potential for survival and growth to increase forest productivity and forest health. It also advocates for a seed supply from a broad base that conserves the genetic resources of the state’s forest tree species to provide future ecological benefits and to accommodate potential future changes in climate, pest pressures, forest management practices or demand for products.

Seed orchards are the primary mechanism used to produce genetically improved seed in quantities large enough to support nursery production. The Tree Improvement Program develops and manages tree seed orchards using a combination of parent tree and family selection, progeny testing and selective breeding. First-generation seed orchards are currently established for white pine, jack pine, red pine, white spruce, red oak and black walnut. Second- and third-generation seed orchards are established for jack pine. The program also monitors seed orchards and progeny tests and collects data on variations in tolerance and resistance to various pathogens.

Annual reports

Other associated documents