Aspen improvement strategies for western Canada - Alberta and Saskatchewan

Abstract

A breeding plan was developed for improving trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides) and aspen hybrids for fiber and wood production in Alberta and Saskatchewan. Phenotypic selections are being made from three major geographic regions, northern Alberta, southern Alberta, and East-central Alberta and western Saskatchewan. The initial breeding population will include 150 phenotypically selected individuals, 50 from each of the three regions. A combined family- and within-family selection will be used to form a new breeding population. The initial focus of the hybrid breeding program will be to identify the interspecific aspen hybrids that are suitable for planting in northern latitudes. Hybridization will concentrate on crosses between the local trembling aspen and northern sources of P. tremula and P. davidiana. -from Author