Genetic conservation and restoration of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Port-Orford-cedar) in the face of a non-native pathogen and changing climate – on the road to success

Abstract

Challenge Port-Orford-cedar (POC) (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) is a long-lived conifer native to southwest Oregon and northwest California, occurring from sea level to above 1500 m (5085 ft). It is a foundational species in its native ecosystems and is used world-wide horticulturally. A non-native pathogen, Phytophthora lateralis, cause of Port-Orford-cedar root disease, has caused high mortality in native forest ecosystems and ornamental plantings (Betlejewski et al. 2011). The presence of P. lateralis has limited the use of POC in managed plantations and urban forests. There is concern about the future viability of the species which has a ‘Near Threatened’ status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List (Farjon 2013).

Parent Publication

• Gene conservation of tree species—banking on the future. Proceedings of a workshop.

Citation

Sniezko, Richard A.; Hooten, Erin; Frank, Chuck; Cronn, Rich; Hamlin, Jim; Angwin, Peter A. 2017. Genetic conservation and restoration of Chamaecyparis lawsoniana (Port-Orford-cedar) in the face of a non-native pathogen and changing climate – on the road to success. In: Sniezko, Richard A.; Man, Gary; Hipkins, Valerie; Woeste, Keith; Gwaze, David; Kliejunas, John T.; McTeague, Brianna A., tech. cords. 2017. Gene conservation of tree species—banking on the future. Proceedings of a workshop. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-963. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station: 180-182.