Improved trees: economic promises and pitfalls

Abstract

Surging demands for wood fiber that must be produced on a decreasing acreage of forest land suggest soaring prices, a shrinking market for wood products, or both. Either of these consequences can be forestalled or prevented by implementing existing technologies, one of which is cultivation of genetically improved trees. Multiple and sizable gains from improved trees are likely. Gains are not without risks, however, as possible losses may occur through failure to accumulate capital necessary to establish plantations of improved trees on good sites.

Parent Publication

• Proceedings of the 13th Lake States Forest Tree Improvement Conference, August 1977.

Citation

Dutrow, George F. 1977. Improved trees: economic promises and pitfalls. In: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Lake States Forest Tree Improvement Conference; Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-50. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 72-80