Tree Improvement Update for Virginia Pine

The Forest Service currently manages two first generation genetically improved seed orchards for the production of commercial quantities of seed. One orchard is managed in cooperation with the South Carolina Forestry Commission and is located in South Carolina. A second seed orchard is located in Burke County, North Carolina.

Seed from these orchards is sown at Claridge Nursery in Goldsboro where seedlings are grown for deployment as one-year seedlings. Collection of Virginia pine seed orchard seed will continue on an individual clone basis. This will allow the NCFS to capture the largest genetic gains possible from our seed orchards for deployment throughout the state.

Seed Collection

Seed was last collected in 2006 and stored. Cones are not collected annually as seed supply exceeds demand for Virginia pine seedlings.

Breeding

As clones in our seed orchards and clone banks sexually mature, pollen will be collected and stored for later breeding. Female flower counts will indicate which clones may be ready for full-sib breeding.

Progeny Testing

Until sufficient numbers of full-sib crosses are made and seed is available, open pollinated progeny testing will continue.