The major decision for you to make prior to planting is whether you want to plant seed from an open-pollinated cone or a controlled-pollinated cone (MCP™). In a nutshell (well maybe pinecone is more appropriate here), your choice decides what DNA is packed inside of the cone and how that DNA will drive the future production, disease resistance, stem form, and ultimately financial return of your future forest for the next 25+ years.
Patrick Cumbie, ArborGen’s Vice President of Product Development, breaks down the five new pine product categories designed to make seedling selection simple and transparent.
Join us on November 13 for an exclusive webinar introducing ArborGen’s new pine product categories and AG Scoring System. Learn how these innovations simplify seedling selection, provide a clearer view of genetic performance, and help landowners make more confident, data-driven decisions for their next planting season. Stay for a live Q&A session with ArborGen experts to get your questions answered in real time.
The major decision for you to make prior to planting is whether you want to plant seed from an open-pollinated cone or a controlled-pollinated cone (MCP™). In a nutshell (well maybe pinecone is more appropriate here), your choice decides what DNA is packed inside of the cone and how that DNA will drive the future production, disease resistance, stem form, and ultimately financial return of your future forest for the next 25+ years.
In the past few months, the rapid rate of change for timberland markets in the South has been disheartening. The news has leaned towards bleak, with a few bright spots thrown in. Considering these changes, most timberland owners who are invested in navigating these difficulties are probably asking themselves these questions.
At ArborGen, we understand that every decision you make for your land impacts not just today, but decades into the future. With evolving markets, changing climate conditions, and ever-expanding choices in genetics, stock types, seedling spacing, and planting methods, landowners face more complexity than ever before. That’s where ArborGen’s Reforestation Advisors (RAs) come in.
At ArborGen, we’re beside you every step of the way. We treat your land like it’s our own. Communicate with honesty and clarity. Provide the best-performing seedlings anywhere. Show up when you need us, today and decades from now. This is our promise to you.
Reforestation is more than planting seedlings in the ground and hoping they grow. The first year after planting is often the most critical, and one of the biggest challenges landowners face is competition from herbaceous weeds. These fast-growing, non-woody plants thrive in disturbed soil, quickly outcompeting young trees for sunlight, water, and nutrients. Left unchecked, weeds can weaken seedlings, reduce survival rates, and sometimes cause entire plantings to fail.
Today’s timber markets are shifting. With pulpwood demand declining and sawtimber and chip-and-saw holding strong, landowners are rethinking planting strategies to better align with long-term goals. But that doesn’t mean planting fewer trees is always the answer. The real opportunity lies in strategic spacing, matching density with genetics, site conditions, and objectives.
Modern silviculture has come a long way from the broad-brush approaches of decades past. Today’s forest managers are embracing increasingly sophisticated methods to prepare sites, apply herbicides, and ensure sustainable outcomes for both productivity and the environment. The key? Precision, planning, and a deep understanding of the site’s unique characteristics.