Treesearch

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) began ash (Fraxinus) germplasm preservation in 2005, through seed collections for long term seed storage. The work was coordinated with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Collections have been accomplished through many cooperators. Various methods of outreach were deployed to solicit cooperators. No method stood out as better than another. However, the level of interest in genetic conservation held by the cooperator seemed much more important in determining if they chose to participate rather than how they were contacted....

Threats to North American forest trees from exotic pests and pathogens or habitat loss, make it imperative that every available tool be employed for conservation and restoration of these at risk species. One such tool, in vitro propagation, could greatly enhance conservation of forest tree genetic material and selection and breeding of resistant or tolerant genotypes for restoration. In vitro propagation approaches include standard micropropagation (axillary shoot multiplication), organogenesis (adventitious shoot production) and somatic embryogenesis (SE), a process by which structures...

Association studies integrating environmental, phenotypic, and genetic data are key in understanding forest tree resilience to climate change and disease. As genomic resources increase, both in terms of complete reference sequences and magnitude of individuals genotyped, researchers are better equipped to identify correlations between genetic variation and adaptive or commercial traits. Computational resources designed to integrate and distribute high quality genotypic, phenotypic, and environmental datasets remain insufficient for the task. TreeGenes is a web-based resource dedicated to...

Genetic resource management programs across the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) play a key role in supporting successful land management activities. The programs are responsible for developing and providing plant material for revegetation, seed management guidelines, emergency fire recovery assistance, genetic conservation strategies, climate change guidance, and partnership opportunities. The primary objective of the USDA FS genetics programs is to provide the genetically most appropriate plant material to support diverse, sustainable and resilient forests. These...

Pinus strobiformis (southwestern white pine) is threatened by both a rapidly changing climate and the tree disease white pine blister rust, caused by an introduced fungal pathogen, Cronartium ribicola. We began a proactive program in ~2009 to sustain P. strobiformis that includes genetic conservation, research, and management strategies. Research is related to the silvics, ecology, genetics, and future climate profile of the species. The results of these investigations will be used to develop refined seed transfer zones and silvicultural approaches to managing southwestern white pine in a...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) National Seed Laboratory (NSL) began long term seed storage for genetic conservation, in 2005, for USDA FS units and cooperators. This program requires secure storage of both seeds and the data documenting the identification of the seeds. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) has provided both of these services to the USDA FS through the NSL. Security backup, of all samples, is provided at the ARS National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation. Forest Service seed sample data is stored in the Germplasm Resource Information...

The objective of this study is to analyze patterns of genetic variation at genic expressed sequence tag - simple sequence repeats (EST-SSRs) and at chloroplast DNA markers in populations of American chestnut (Castanea dentata Borkh.) to assist in conservation and breeding efforts. Allelic diversity at EST-SSRs decreased significantly from southwest to northeast along the Appalachian range, suggesting repeated founder events during postglacial migration. Comparatively high allelic diversity in Ontario, northwest of the Appalachian range, suggested more recent long-distance dispersal. Clinal...

The emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis) continues to kill ash trees in North America at an alarmingly fast pace. Although EAB is a threat to all species of ash (Fraxinus) in the United States, green ash (F. pennsylvanica) is among the most susceptible. Among the most commonly planted landscape trees in the United States, green ash is also an important species in riparian forests, rural agricultural systems and urban woodlands. Within 4 to 6 years from the time of first detection, the damage caused by EAB larval feeding can kill 100 percent of the green ash trees in a stand. Green...

European beech (Fagus sylvatica) is one of the most abundant tree species in Europe. Its genetic structure and diversity have been investigated using both molecular markers and adaptive traits as assessed in field and laboratory experimental tests looking at adaptative traits. A great deal of information also exists on the Quaternary history of the species and on plant communities associated with this keystone species. In France, the conservation of its genetic resources relies on both in situ and ex situ approaches. Some outlying populations at the margin of its distribution, that are...

The growing demand for alternative energy has led those interested in producing sustainable energy from renewable biomass such as timber to devise new concepts to satisfy those demands. The concept of timber processing depots, where whole stem trees will be delivered for future processing into wood products and high quality energy fuel, has led to the reevaluation of current timber transportation methods and whether they can feasibly transport unprocessed trees in an efficient, legal, and safe manner. Modifications for standard double bunk log trailers were developed to accommodate tree...