Scion_Collection_rev_1-9-2014_dlf.pdf

Last Update 1/9/2014 DLF

Scion Collection rev 1-9-2014 dlf Page 1 of 2

Scion Collection and Handling

The following is a list of points that should be considered when selecting and collecting scion material for future grafting projects.

1). Collect scion material from the upper third of the tree crown ONLY. The reason for this, is that the female flowers are produced in the highest frequency in the upper third of the tree crown.

2). Scion material should be collected in the spring while the tree is still dormant. Scion material should be collected from wood that grew the previous summer (one year old material). To ensure dormancy, all scion must be received at the Coeur d’Alene Nursery by the close of business on March 20.

3). Scion should measure 6 to 8 inches in length to prevent dessication and allow enough material for grafting. Most grafting is done with 2-0 rootstock.. Scion caliper should match rootstock caliper as closely as possible and this varies by species and year. In most years, the target scion calipers average 1/8” for WL, 3/16” for WBP, 3/16-1/4” for WP and LPP, and 1/4-

5/16” for PP. For thicker branched species, this often requires collecting secondary and not primary branches. Do not force the scion to fit in the bag by trimming needles or bending the scion. If a one gallon ziploc bag is not big enough, two gallon ziploc bags are now available.

4). The cut end of the scion material should be wrapped in wet paper towels. Do not put snow in the bag. Depending upon the species, 10-20 pieces of scion from the SAME donor tree can be wrapped in wet paper towels, i.e., there is no need to individually wrap each piece of scion.

5). Consult David Foushee (208-765-7394, dfoushee@fs.fed.us) at the CDA Nursery if you have questions about quantity of scion needed per individual or other questions.

6). The ziploc bag filled with scion should have two tags, one on the inside and one attached to the outside, identifying one of the following:

a. White Pine Parent Trees Wild Stand Collections

Species

Cycle Number

Tree Number

Collection Type (BO=Breeding Orchard, CB=clone bank)

Township, Range, Section

Elevation

Area Name

Forest and District Name

Full Name of Collector

Date of Collection mailto:dfoushee@fs.fed.us

Last Update 1/9/2014 DLF

Scion Collection rev 1-9-2014 dlf Page 2 of 2

b. Collections from Field Tests, Plantations, and Tree Improvement Areas (all species)

Species

Breeding Zone

Phase (I or II)

Cycle Number (for White Pine)

Stand and Tree Number

Pedigree Number

Collection Type (BO=Breeding Orchard, CB=clone bank, SO=seed orchard, VR

Study, etc.)—purpose for the collection; where it will be outplanted.

Plantation, Field Test or Tree Improvement Area Name--if from a Tree

Improvement Area, identify where the material was collected: early selection trial (EST), clone bank (CB), or seed orchard (SO).

Replication (block), Row and Column of the Plantation, Field Test, or Tree

Improvement Area.

Forest and District Name

Full Name of the Collector

Date of Collection

7). It is easier and minimizes mistakes in record keeping if tags/labels are made up prior to collecting scion in the field. Organizing the scion collection bags by how material is collected in a field test (e.g., serpentine fashion), will also speed up the collection process.

8). During the day when scion is being collected at the site, ziploc plastic bags should be placed in coolers with frozen blue ice packs. Do NOT use dry ice.

9). Scion material can be stored for two to three weeks in a refrigerator set at 34 to 38 F. Scion can be stored from between one to three months at 32 F. We recommend however, shipping the scion within 24-48 hours following field collections.

10). Scion should be shipped in coolers to keep the material at a cool temperature to ensure the material stays in good condition. An ice pack in the bottom of the cooler will keep the material cool during transport. If you can't bring the material to the CDA Nursery, then you should ship it with an overnight express carrier. Avoid shipping on a Thursday or Friday because there is a risk that it will not arrive until the following week. If this happens the material may not be kept in a cool environment over the weekend and this could damage it. Remember this material is living tissue that needs to be handled with extreme care. Please notify the CDA Nursery prior to shipment of scion (208)765-7394 or -7375 (front desk), so that they are aware of an incoming shipment and can process it immediately. If delivering the scion material in person, be sure to make the delivery during posted business hours for the Nursery, 0700-1600 hrs. Pacific time.

Shipping address:

David Foushee

USDA Forest Service

Coeur d’Alene Nursery

3600 Nursery Rd.

Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815-5279