Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)
We supply improved open pollinated seed from the following orchards:
- Seed Orchards
- Tramway Orchard
This originates from Washington seed sources and has been selected from plus-trees in the local West Otago third generation landrace stands. Selections have been made for improved growth and form, but with further screening for higher outer-wood density, and later for higher stiffness (using IML hammer)
Outer-wood density ranged from 283-520 kg/m3 in the original 83 plus tree selection, with an average of 411 kg/m3. The cutoff was set at 418 kg/m3 for the best 29 trees which make up the orchard, giving an average outer-wood density of 452 kg/m3, or a 9.9% improvement in density
Stiffness was ranked using IML hammer acoustic readings on standing trees as a proxy for MOE. 21 of the original 29 elite plus trees which hadn’t been felled were measured. The range was 3137-3804 m/sec, with an average of 3509 m/sec
Tramway Seed Orchard has been producing seed since 2008, with commercial quantities from 2011 (130kg)
Tramway, being a late flusher, is more suited to areas where there is a risk of late frost, especially more southern latitudes or higher elevations. Tendency to form ramicorns is very low. While growth rates are more conservative then Californian seedlots, form is excellent. - Pomahaka Plus Orchard
(ex Rankleburn Provenance Trial 1959)
The 2005 selection of plus trees originates from two previous overlapping FRI selections made in the 1980’s. 25 clones were re-selected, including 6 from the FRI Pomahaka Seed Stand in West Otago
Selection criteria included IML hammer measurements for stiffness. The range was 2746-3665 m/sec with and average of 3190 m/sec - Pomahaka Co-op Orchard
(NZ Douglas-fir Research Cooperative Orchard)
The NZ Douglas-fir Research Cooperative funded a subsequent plus tree selection in 2006 from the FRI Pomahaka Seed Stand in West Otago. 20 of the best plus trees were field grafted in 2006 selected from 136 original plus trees
These 20 plus trees give an improvement in diameter of 9% (365mm against 335mm) and improvement in MoE (GPa) of 21% (8.0 against 6.6) against the 136 original plus trees
Both Pomahaka orchards are dominated by Californian plus trees. These seedlots are more suited for areas where the risk of late frost is very low (northern latitudes or lower altitudes) and where rainfall is evenly spread through the growing season. Tendency to form ramicorns is very low. - Fort Bragg Co-op Orchard
(NZ Douglas-fir Research Cooperative Orchard)
The NZ Douglas-fir Research Cooperative funded another plus tree selection in 2005 from Waimihia, Kaingaroa Forest 22 clones were selected and stiffness using IML hammer gave a mean velocity of 2998 m/sec
There was an improvement in diameter of 6% (262mm against 248mm) and improvement in MoE (GPa) of 17% (9.0 against 7.7) against the 301 original plus trees Fort Bragg comes from part of just one seed zone on the Californian coast, and while the plus trees have been selected for improved growth and form, care must be taken when choosing sites for planting this improved seedlot. Fort Bragg flushes very early, followed by very rapid main leader extension early in the growing season. It is particularly suited to take advantage of spring rain, and in areas which experience soil moisture deficits in summer.
If it is planted in areas with late summer rain, there can a tendency for second flushing and subsequent ramicorn formation. - What orchard seedlot should I use?
The seed zone chart below provides a guide for choosing which seedlot to plant where. If you are uncertain, it is better to be conservative and use Tramway. Californian seedlots will grow vigorously in higher altitudes and southern latitudes, but form may be compromised.
All our seed is collected fresh, then processed, extracted, cleaned and refridgerated. Cutting tests are carried out on most seed species to determine percentage. We are able to achieve between 80% and 100% live seed on most species with our cleaning methods.
Should you purchase seed from us you will be assured of prompt service. Your seed will be delivered to you sealed in heavy plastic with the seed data relevant for that seedlot.