Flowering phenology and seed viability of native and non-native poplars in north-central Alberta

• Published in: Forestry chronicle Vol. 83; no. 2; pp. 239 - 246
• Main Authors: Huybregts, A.A, Thomas, B.R, Dancik, B.P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.04.2007
• Subjects: ecological invasion; flowering; forest plantations; forest trees; gene flow; indigenous species; interspecific hybridization; introduced species; phenology; Populus; Populus balsamifera; Populus davidiana; Populus tremuloides; seedling growth; seeds; viability; Alberta
• ISSN: 0015-7546
• DOI: 10.5558/tfc83239-2

In Alberta, Canada, the provincial government currently restricts the establishment of hybrid poplars to private land or small research plantings on Crown lands, because of the unknown risks associated with using non-native trees. Industry is interested in utilizing hybrid poplars on a larger scale for fibre production and reclamation. This interest has driven the need to better understand the genetic risks associated with the deployment of these non-native trees within a matrix of natural poplar stands and agricultural plantings. The first step to understanding the potential risks associated with the use of non-native poplars is to assess flowering phenology and seedling development of both native and non-native poplars growing in the same region. Flowering data were collected and graphed for 38 clones of native Populus balsamifera, 20 clones of native P. tremuloides, and 13 non-native poplar clones (seven hybrid poplar clones and six P. davidiana seedlings) in north-central Alberta. Based on the overlapping flowering patterns and the development of normal seedlings, some potential for hybridization between native and non-native poplars exists.