TreeLines

March 2023 – 2nd Edition

TreeLines

March 2023 – 2nd Edition

TreeLines

March 2023 – 2nd Edition

Pulpwood, Chip-n-Saw, Sawtimber, Poles??

What Can I Get at Harvest?

Pulpwood, Chip-n-Saw, Sawtimber, Poles??
What Can I Get at Harvest?

Pulpwood, Chip-n-Saw, Sawtimber, Poles??
What Can I Get at Harvest?

As Reforestation Advisors, every day we’re asked by Landowners, “What are my seedling options?”.

The options most landowners are curious about are; 1. Genetics and 2. Stock Type.

This edition covers Genetics and its role in the final results. In the next edition of TreeLines, we’ll address Stock Type in depth.

Genetics: The decision about the type of genetics has a few variables, and many landowners seek guidance and clarification. When choosing pine trees, it comes down to what you want to accomplish with your land. Do you want to generate revenue because you regard your forest land as a financial investment and expect an ROI, or do you want to create a wildlife habitat for recreation?

Most of us are familiar with “good genetics” in animal biology, but the same concept translates to trees. Good genetics yield good results. For example, a starting point for many landowners wanting to get a financial return, opt for pine. Open-Pollinated (OP) Loblolly Pine can offer good genetics with different levels of performance. And don’t be fooled by “names”. Make sure you check the performance values of each level before making a decision. Some seedling providers call their seedlings “Elite”, but they’re only mid-grade seedlings in the OP category. Here’s a helpful article that explains the difference.

Forest Genetics

There’s another level up from good genetics you can think of as “great genetics.” The seedlings in this higher grade of genetics are called  Mass Control Pollinated Loblolly Pine, or MCP®. ArborGen MCP seedlings offer much higher performance regarding the quantity (yield) and quality of wood grown. These seedlings are ideal for maximizing your financial return through genetic gain. Here again, not all control pollinated seedlings are the same. Bred from the top 1% performers of 8,000 tested Loblolly families, ArborGen MCP has been validated in more than 20 years of field trials.

See the comparisons below to help you understand how genetics affect the outcome of the final harvest.

OP Loblolly pine is a blended cross between a known, superior mother tree and an unknown father tree that highlights the heartiness renowned in the typical loblolly pine of the southern pine family. OP is good, but if the goal is to generate revenue, you can expect the following:
25% more revenue than older versions of OP (2nd Gen)
• 1st thinning as early as 13-15 years
• 1st thinning can yield 40-50 tons per acre
• Final harvest with 20%-50% of the trees to be good for Sawtimber, typically the highest-value wood in most markets.
ArborGen MCP (Mass Control Pollinated) Loblolly pine is grown from the pollen of the highest-performing father trees applied to the flowers of the best mother trees in a precise, controlled manner.
50% More Revenue vs. 2nd Gen
• 1st thinning as early as 11-13 years
• 1st thinning can yield 30% more than OP and as much as 30% with solid wood potential
• Final harvest with 60-80% as Sawtimber
• Increased growth
• Straighter trees
• Reduced forking
• Better fusiform rust resistance
Slide1 Arborgen Tree Seedlings Treelines March 2023 2Nd Edition

So, what do you want at the final harvest?

Whether it’s Pulpwood, Chip-n-Saw, Sawtimber, or Poles – it should be easy for you to grow a healthy, profitable forest, and it all starts with making the right seedling choice. We’ve proven that planting the best seedlings available gives you maximum growth, better tree quality, and higher returns. OP suits Pulpwood, but MCP delivers excellent options for any timber market. Your Reforestation Advisor is here to guide you to the right seedlings for your region and specific land to meet your goals.

Did You Know?

Aerial Container Pictures 020 Scaled Arborgen Tree Seedlings Treelines March 2023 2Nd Edition
According to the NC State University Tree Improvement Cooperative annual surveys, almost 1.5 billion full-sib (control pollinated) seedlings have been produced in the southeastern United States. Most recent numbers indicated more than 191 million were produced in the 2021-2022 planting season.

Through the 2021-22 season, ArborGen accounts for 782 million MCP® seedlings grown since 2000.

What’s Happening at Your Nurseries? Seed Stratification!

In this informative video you’ll learn how we prepared this year’s crop to grow the best seedlings available anywhere.

Bullard Nursery Operations & Genetics Tour

Nursery Operations Genetics Tour Optimized Arborgen Tree Seedlings Treelines March 2023 2Nd Edition

Join us for a tour of the Bareroot and ALL NEW Container Nursery at Bullard and a Forest Genetics Presentation for Western Gulf Foresters and Landowners.

  • Genetics Overview and Product Development
  • Bareroot & Container Seedling Crop Visits
  • Forest Genetics Demonstration

Click on the “Register” button below to see the agenda and RSVP. We hope to see you there!

Download a Copy of this TreeLines Edition

Need a trusted partner to guide the way? Get in touch with a Reforestation Advisor to explore your options!
Austin Heine

Austin Heine

North Carolina and Virginia


910-660-3209

Greg Hay

Greg Hay

Arkansas, Northern Louisiana, and Oklahoma


501-350-4217

Shannon Stewart

Shannon Stewart

Eastern Texas, Southern Louisiana

936-239-6189

Paul Jeffreys, Ph.d.

Paul Jeffreys, Ph.D.

Alabama & Mississippi

Manager Special Projects & Sustainability
205-712-9582

Drew Fasano

Drew Fasano

Reforestation Advisor
South Carolina
843-520-6865

Blake Sherry

Blake Sherry

Reforestation Advisor
Georgia and Florida

912-433-5407

Kylie Burdette

Kylie Burdette

U.S. Sales Manager

864-650-4454

Jason Watson

Jason Watson

Director, U.S. Sales

404-840-7489