Understanding the ArborGen AG Score
The ArborGen Score (AG Score) is a simple way to compare the overall performance of different pine families. It combines several important traits into one easy-to-understand number:
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Growth (productivity) – how much wood the trees produce
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Rust resistance – how well they resist disease
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Stem straightness – how straight the trunks grow
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Forking – how often the trunk splits into two or more stems
By blending all these traits together, the AG Score lets you easily see how one family compares to another—whether it’s an open-pollinated (OP) or mass-control-pollinated (MCP) family.
About half of the AG Score comes from growth performance, and the other half comes from quality traits like rust resistance, straightness, and forking.
In short, a higher AG Score means better trees—those that grow more wood per acre and have straighter, higher-quality stems. Over time, that adds up to more sawtimber and other valuable wood products from your land.
How the AG Score is Determined
The ArborGen Score (AG Score) is built from years of research and testing. It combines two key data sources:
1. Regional cooperative data – showing how families perform in your specific area, and
2. ArborGen’s own progeny tests – thousands of seedlings planted since 2010 to track growth, health, and quality.
By bringing both sets of data together, the AG Score gives the most accurate picture of how each tree family is likely to perform. This helps landowners and consultants make more confident decisions about which families to plant—so the trees match their goals for growth, quality, and long-term value.
AG Score = (w_1*Productivity)+(w_2*Rust)+(w_3*Straightness)+(w_4*Forking)
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AG Scores range from 0 to over 120 in the Coastal population, highlighting the potential to select families with the desired combinations for quality traits for sawtimber production.
Ensuring ALL Traits Have the Desired Performance
The AG Score doesn’t just reward high growth—it also makes sure no single trait is overlooked. If a family ranks in the bottom 30% for an important trait like rust resistance, straightness, or forking, its score is reduced. That penalty helps prevent a “high score” from masking a serious weakness.
On the flip side, families that rank in the top 10% for stem quality traits get a small bonus to their AG Score. These are the families most likely to produce a higher percentage of sawtimber-quality trees when it’s time to harvest.
What Does a Higher AG Score Mean for Your Land?
A higher AG Score means a stronger balance of growth and quality—trees that produce more wood and more sawtimber-grade stems per acre.
In real-world comparisons, stands planted with MCP Pro families that have higher AG Scores consistently outperform open-pollinated (OP) families. In one example, nearly three out of four trees in a high-AG-Score MCP Pro block showed no major defects—no rust, forks, heavy limbs, or sweep. By contrast, less than half of the trees in the OP block reached sawtimber-quality standards.
In short, the AG Score helps you plant smarter. It’s a clear, data-driven way to choose families that deliver better performance and more value from your forest over time.
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AG Score: 100
73% STP
MCP Pro+ family block of 150 trees with 73% Sawtimber Potential at age 6 years.
Green = Sawtimber potential tree
Orange = Pulpwood tree
Red = Dead tree.
AG Score: 59
49% STP
OP family block of 150 trees with 49% Sawtimber Potential at age 6 years.
Green = Sawtimber potential tree
Orange = Pulpwood tree
Red = Dead tree.
Are All Pine Seedlings Really Equal?
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What advantages do ArborGen's Pine Seedlings offer compared to other pine seedling providers?
ArborGen’s Pine Seedling products offer a clear advantage over other providers, featuring accelerated financial gains from our premium seedlings, superior genetic traits ensuring robust growth and quality timber, and unmatched support from experienced Reforestation Advisors.
What are the benefits of Mass Control Pollinated (MCP®) seedlings?
The benefits of Mass Control Pollinated (MCP®) seedlings are substantial, including accelerated growth and enhanced revenue potential, faster thinning cycles for increased financial returns, and superior quality timber production through advanced genetics.
What are the benefits of Open Pollinated (OP) seedlings?
Open Pollinated (OP) seedlings come with significant benefits, such as reliable growth rates and excellent timber quality, proven performance across diverse soil conditions, and a reliable choice for achieving success with pine plantations.
How can I access ArborGen’s full range of pine seedling varieties?
To explore ArborGen’s complete range of pine seedling varieties, visit our Pine Seedling Varieties page, ensuring you discover the perfect fit for your unique needs.
What is the minimum quantity of pine seedlings that I can order?
ArborGen accommodates a range of order sizes, ensuring you find the ideal amount of pine seedlings for your project. Please reach out to one of our forestry experts to discuss your specific requirements.
Can ArborGen assist with selecting the right pine seedlings for my project?
Absolutely! Our experienced Reforestation Advisors are available to guide you in selecting the ideal pine seedlings based on your land characteristics and project goals. Contact us to get started.