Broadleaved tree breeding in Scotland: recent progress and future priorities.

摘要

The need for broadleaved stock of good genetic quality has increased markedly in recent years as a result of an upturn in interest in planting for quality timber. This demand is likely to be strengthened by increasing interest in short rotation forestry. This review looks at recent progress in broadleaved tree breeding, with particular reference to Scotland and northern England. A good start has been made by the British and Irish Hardwood Improvement Programme (BIHIP) and Forest Research, with work covering ash, birch, cherry, sycamore, oak, sweet chestnut, walnut and beech. However, production of improved seed/planting stock suitable for Scottish conditions is still only likely to become available in timescales ranging from a few years (eg birch), to decades (eg oak). Wildstar cherry is the only commercially available improved broadleaved stock. Scotland lags behind England in terms of progress for several species, and priorities for future work to rectify this are outlined. It is vital that the longer-term activity in the selection and breeding of broadleaved species retains the support of the forest sector and research funders. In the meantime it is important to maximise seed production from suitable registered seed stands or better quality source identified stands and more effort should be made to encourage this activity.