Lesson 6: Biotechnology

 In 1994, the Company's board of directors asked staff to evaluate the costs and benefits of a tree improvement program that could increase the productivity of the forest. This resulted in a tree breeding program and the production of seed orchard trees.

Seed orchard trees were produced by grafting or from seedlings. Grafting is a "low-tech" biotechnology in which twigs from the very best trees are clipped off in late winter. In the spring, these twigs are grafted to a "rootstock." A rootstock is a plant that already has an established, healthy root system.

As the grafted portion grows, the rootstock is trimmed back. What results is an identical copy of the original selected tree.

These copies, or clones, are then interbred to produce genetically superior seed that can then be used in reforestation.

 

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