Tree Improvement Program Project Report 2006 / 2007

Pest management n h gh-elevat on western
hemlock orchard 196 (SPU 2 03)
Orchard 196 consists of 24 clones and 251 ramets. The
mean BV of this orchard is 11.
SPU 2403 covers pest management activities for cone
and foliar insects in Hw orchards to retain the health
and vigour of ramets. Orchard staff conducted weekly
insect surveys and, in consultation with MFR seed pest
management officer, determined that chemical pesticide
applications were unnecessary. Active populations of
Syrphid fly larvae kept hemlock adelgid populations under
control for the 2006 growing season.
.1.13 Sorrento Seed Orchards
H lary Graham
Sorrento Seed Orchard manages two large Lodgepole pine
orchards established in 2003 in partnership with SelectSeed
Company. These orchards will supply seed for the Central
Figureau (CP) low elevation and the Bulkley Valley (BV)
low elevation seed planning units.
To initiate early seed production in these orchards,
pollen management activities were conducted with OTIP
funding in 2006. Pollen was collected at the Kalamalka
Forestry Centre clone banks and used for supplemental
mass pollination in both orchards in 2006. All conelets
received up to three applications of pollen during their
receptivity period.
As a result of this work, these orchards will produce seed
in 2007. We will collect up to 1.26 kg of seed (250,000
plantables) with an expected genetic worth of 15% from
the BV orchard. Approximately 760 grams of seed (150,000
plantables) with an expected genetic worth of 20% will be
collected from the CP orchard.
Early seed production in these young orchards directly
supports the FGC’s goals by making more genetically
improved seed available for use in BC’s forests.
T R E E I M P R O V E M E N T P R O G R A M
P R O J E C T R E P O R T 2 0 0 6 / 2 0 0 7
.2 Techn cal Support Programs
.2.1 Cone and Seed Pest
Management – Inter or
Operat ons
Robb Bennett
This project covers operational expenses for the interior
seed pest management biologist’s activities, including
all expenses associated with lab, field, and office work.
Included in this project are wages for one co-op student
(one term) and auxiliary technical support (as needed)
to assist with operational pest management trials, data
analysis, and development of new operational techniques.
The pest management biologist position was vacant from
January until the end of May 2006, when Jim Corrigan
took over the position.
Between May 23, 2006 and 31 March 2007 the interior
seed pest management biologist provided the following
services.
1. Performed 90 site visits, pest surveys and identifications,
and damage predictions and assessments.
2. Delivered 13 written pest status reports, position papers,
and/or backgrounders for colleagues and superiors inside
the Ministry of Forests and Range and for partners
outside the Ministry of Forests and Range.
3. Prepared ~55 other extension recommendations, pest
identifications, responses to requests for information,
and other transfers of technology.
4. Dealt with ~40 requests for information from members
of the public.
Work continued on in-house and collaborative
development of protocols for seed bugs, seed wasps,
cone worms, mountain pine beetle, and other insects
of importance to interior cone and seed production. In
summary, the interior pest management biologist:
1. Initiated, or collaborated with university, government,
and other research personnel on, nine pest management
projects in the field.
2. Assisted in the preparation of the 2006 mountain pine
beetle risk assessment for PGTIS and Skimikin Seed
Orchards.
3