Seed science supporting tree planting

From seeds to forests

Tree planting is a complex, multi-step process. A critical first step is to source and collect seeds of the desired species and genetic family for the planting project. Once collected, seeds are planted and grown as seedlings in nurseries for several years. They are grown in containers or outdoors in field soil until seedlings are 1 to 4 years old and are ready for planting.

Seed management

High-quality tree seeds are the first step to successful restoration and afforestation. Quality seeds evolve into healthy trees that provide ecosystem services, such as absorbing carbon dioxide. Seed management activities impact seed quality and are important to attaining desirable tree planting outcomes.

Management activities can include:

• registering
• processing
• storing
• testing
• distributing seeds for largescale reforestation and afforestation programs

Canada’s National Tree Seed Centre (NTSC) collects and maintains seeds for research, recovery programs, and Indigenous cultural programs. The NTSC collects seeds, processes collections down to pure seed, tests seed quality for processing facilities, and stores seeds to ensure they stay viable for future research. Their mandate includes the conservation of genetic resources under threat from invasive pests and pathogens and climate change.

Sharing knowledge to support the 2 Billion Trees program

The 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program is committed to providing program recipients with the knowledge they need to succeed. Below is a list of research projects, knowledge exchange products, tools and activities that have been developed or are in the process of being developed to support tree planting under the program and enhance the survival and productivity of planted trees.

Research projects:

• Strong Seeds for Our Future Trees
• Tools to facilitate forest planting and seed transfer under climate change
• Planting the right trees in the right places in forests and in cities: Adaptability of red oak to climate change
• Resilience of western red cedar to climatic extremes (drought)

Knowledge exchange products, tools and activities:

• Co-developing an Indigenous Seed Collection Program for species of cultural, spiritual, and economic importance to Indigenous communities (training sessions and toolkit)
• The science at the Canadian Forest Service in genomics and climate change in relation to the 2 Billion Trees Program
• Real world tree breeding: Growth and yield projections are met or exceeded in Douglas Fir

Research results and other knowledge will become available on an ongoing basis and will be added to the 2BT knowledge inventory and on the Canadian Conservation of Land Management.

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Stay connected

If you have questions or want to join the distribution list for program updates, email the 2BT Program.

Additional resources

• 2BT knowledge inventory (Canadian Forest Service publications)
• Series of technical notes published by the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s (NAIT) Applied Research Centres
• SeedWhere: A tool to assist with decisions on seed movements to support sustainable forest management
• Seed collection guide for six boreal plants important to Indigenous peoples: A beginner's field guide for identifying, collecting, transporting, and storing seeds

Find out more

• Canadian Conservation and Land Management
• Science supporting the 2 Billion Trees program
• 2 Billion Trees Program
• 2 Billion Trees Commitment
• 2 Billion Trees Program - 2021–2022 Showcase Projects