Brian J. Stanton GreenWood Resources June 29, 2005 Poplar in the Pacific Northwest: The Importance of Clonal Development

GreenWood Resources Resource management company focused on high-yield hardwood plantations Founded in 1998 Headquarters in Portland, Oregon Managing 15,000 acres in Oregon and Washington Poplar breeding programs in PNW and LMRV Plans for international developments

North American Poplar Plantations 86,000 acres in the United States –300 to 600 cubic feet per acre per year –Rotations of 8 to 12 years 35,000 acres in Canada –150 to 250 cubic feet per acre per year –Rotations of 10 to 18 years

Main Pacific Northwest Commercial Plantations for the Pulp and Paper Industry 1982 – James River-Lower Columbia River Fiber Farm – 11,000 acres 1991 – Boise Cascade’s Five Fiber Farms – 16,000 acres 1994 – Potlatch Boardman Poplar Farm – 17,000 acres 1996 – MacMillan Bloedel Fiber Operation – 8,000 acres

Lessons from 20 Years of Poplar Culture Site selection is critical but plantation culture adaptable to marginal sites with appropriate technology Importance of improved genetics and need for clonal diversity to minimize risk of plantation failure due to evolving pathogens Critical role of exacting site preparation and weed management techniques

20 Years of Poplar Culture – A Legacy of Success

History: Plant Material Development Initial exploratory hybridization at the University of Washington Elite selections used to launch commercial plantations west of the Cascades (15-29, , ) and east of the Cascades (50-197, , )

History: Plant Material Development Followed by proprietary breeding programs to achieve further gains and reduce risks (e.g. James River, Boise Cascade, Potlatch, MacMillan Bloedel) Focus mainly on components of yield for chip production

History of Plant Material Development: Yield Improvement Propagation success Growth rate Pest resistance Wood specific gravity Adaptability to climate, weather, soils

Poplar Varietal Development: Hybridization Productivity of hybrids 150 to 175% of native cottonwood Major types are: –P. deltoides x P. trichocarpa (P. x generosa) –P. deltoides x P. nigra (P. x canadensis) –P. deltoides x P.maximowiczii

Poplar Varietal Development: Clonal Selection Appreciable variation found among seedling offspring within full sib hybrid families Variation screened using a multiple stage field evaluation process

1989 Hybrid Seedling Nursery Seedling Selection for Late Season Leaf Retention

Select vs Standard. hybrids Improved growth (bdt/ac/yr): - age 8

Today’s Challenges: Markets Developing new, higher-value markets in light of continuing low hardwood pricing for pulp and paper.

Columbia Tree Farm New management style (lower stocking, longer rotation, pruning) New selection criteria (stem form, wood quality) Veneers, paneling, molding, cabinetry