Provenance variation in Sitka spruce.  L. A. Pederick.  August 1978.  12 pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

A provenance trial of Sitka spruce, based on 15 seed collections, was initiated in 1970. Twelve of the collections were from natural stands in North America, sampled over a range of 10 degrees of latitude, from northern California to northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Three collections were from single trees samples in Compartment 13 in the Aire Valley Plantation, Victoria, in which growth has not been very good.

After two years in the nursery, seedlings were planted in field experiments near Foster in South Gippsland and at Narbethong.

There were large differences in height growth of the provenances when measured five years after planting. Height growth was inversely related to latitude of seed origin. The relative heights of the provenances at this stage were very similar to their relative heights at time of planting after 2 years in the nursery.

It is concluded that the best provenances for use in Victoria are those from the southernmost part of the natural distribution, i.e. northern California and southern Oregon. There is no evidence yet with which to distinguish between localities within this region.

The provenance of the planted stand at Aire valley was found to be probably of Washington or southern British Columbia origin. Much better growth would have been obtained if Californian seed had been used.

Also published:

Pederick, L.A. (1979)  Provenance variation in Sitka spruce.  For. Comm. Vic., For. Tech. Pap. 27: 33-40.