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Abstract
Little interest has been shown in genetic improvement of our native birches until fairly recently, except for the birch breeding and testing begun by the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station in 1940. Before we can begin improvement of a particular species or genus, we need to know how much genetic variation is present and how various characteristics are inherited. Most of the work with birch at the Institute of Forest Genetics at Rhinelander has sought to provide this kind of information. We will report first on the knowledge of birch genetics acquired so far and relate it to practical applications, then review the practical improvement work in progress, and finally discuss what we might expect from tree improvement work with the birches in the future.
Parent Publication
Citation
Clausen, Knud E.; Garrett, Peter W. 1969. Progress in birch genetics and tree improvement. In: Doolittle, W.T.; Bruns, P.E., comps. 1969. Birch symposium proceedings; 1969 August 19-21; Durham, NH. Upper Darby, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 86-94.
