Interfamily variation in wood quality of black spruce in a northwestern Ontario progeny trial

Abstract

The right trees for replanting must be selected to ensure optimal future forest conditions. Based on desired future outcomes, various progenies can be selected to suit these needs. In Canada, black spruce (Picea mariana), plays a crucial role in the forest economy. This is due to the large range the species covers as well as the variety of products produced from it, especially pulp. It is hypothesized that various families differ significantly in wood quality. Top growing families (designated with high breeding values) are believed to have the poorest wood quality due to their rapid growth. This paper aims to test that hypothesis and examine the correlation between breeding values and wood quality. Samples tested through models such as regressions and ANOVA analysis concluded that there is low to none statistical significance between wood quality and breeding value. However, this result could possibly be attributed to a low number of samples, as well as lack of control for block effects.