Tree Improvement in the 21st Century: Planning for the Future. Proceedings of the 3rd Northern Forest Genetics Association Meeting

Abstract

The 3rd Northern Forest Genetics Association Meeting was held September 6-8, 2006, in conjunction with the Minnesota Tree Improvement Cooperative’s 25th anniversary celebration. Approximately 40 people with a general interest in forest genetics from the United States and Canada gathered at the University of Minnesota’s Cloquet Forestry Center in Cloquet, Minnesota, to present and discuss the status of their research and programs. The meeting opened with keynote presentations that reviewed the history of forest genetics research in the Lake States, the current successes and struggles at the North Carolina State University tree improvement program, and research on what changes future climate may bring for native plant populations. This meeting demonstrated activity in a wide variety of forest tree species with presentations falling into three broad categories: tree improvement of conifers and fine hardwoods, novel approaches to mitigate the impacts of diseases and pests, and potential impacts of climate change on populations and seed source recommendations. Participants also toured the Cloquet Forestry Center, including the white pine breeding arboretum, and various cooperator seed orchards in the Minnesota Tree Improvement Cooperative.