Seed Sales
Lodgepole Pine (Pli)
Interior Spruce (Sx)
Interior Douglas fir (Fdi)
SelectSeed sells tree seed to persons with reforestation obligations in BC on a a first-come, first-served basis. All seed is registered, tested and stored in accordance with the Chief Forester’s Standards for Seed Use.
See the table below for listing of our current seed prices and deployment areas by species and orchard.
*GVO = genetic gain volume is the estimated additional volume gain in 80 years compared to using wild stand seed.
Check the Ministry’s Seed Planning and Registry System (SPAR) for seedlot availability and details, such as grams, est. seedlings and germination %, or email us.
Also refer to the Ministry’s Climate-based seed transfer (CBST) standards, CBST seedlot selection tool, and/or SPAR to confirm suitability for use in your operating area.
Prices for seedlots lower than the species average germination will be reduced proportionally.
Orchards
Our seed is produced in orchards managed by our partners in BC’s southern interior. Each orchard consists of 20-40 parent trees to maintain high levels of genetic diversity. The orchard trees are selected for superior growth and form, and adaptation to current and projected climates, by Ministry of Forests’ scientists using conventional breeding practices and extensive field testing. No genetic engineering is involved.
The orchards are managed to enhance cone and seed production, and reduce losses to insects and disease. All regulations and standards are followed to ensure worker and environmental safety.
Check out the Seed Planning Dashboard for details for each orchard in BC.
About
Select Seed Co. Ltd. (SelectSeed) is a not-for-profit company established in 1999 and registered under BC’s Business Corporations Act. The Company is 100% owned by BC Forest Genetics Society, whose members consist of persons appointed to the Forest Genetics Council of BC (FGC).
SelectSeed’s primary purpose is to produce tree seed for reforestation in BC. It also provides program support to FGC under a multi-year agreement with the BC Ministry of Forests. Read governance report for more details.
The company is overseen by an experienced board of directors appointed by FGC: Kerry McGourlick, RPF(Ret), President, Rod Willis, Secretary, Jim Burbee, Dr. Sally John and Jack Woods.
The company’s CEO, Brian T. Barber, BSF, MA, RPF, has over 30 years of experience in forestry and tree improvement. Prior to joining SelectSeed in 2016, Brian served as FGC co-chair and director of the BC Ministry of Forests’ Tree Improvement Branch. He works and resides in Victoria, BC.
Frederik Vroom, MSc, is Manager, Seed Orchards. Frederik career includes developing forest carbon projects, timber supply analysis, and managing reforestation programs. Prior to joining SelectSeed in October 2022, he served as program manager for Tree Canada (2016-2020), and worked at the Ministry of Forests’ Skimikin Seed Orchards . Frederik resides in Salmon Arm and volunteers with Shuswap Search and Rescue.
Richard Sutton is the site supervisor at SelectSeed’s Quesnel seed orchards. Hilary Graham, BSc., has over 30 years experience in seed orchard management and provides technical advise.
Contacts
Brian T. Barber, BSF, MA, RPF
CEO, Select Seed Co. Ltd.
(250) 888-7081
brian.barber at selectseed.ca
Frederik Vroom, MSc
Manager, Seed Orchards
(778) 223-6231
frederik.vroom at selectseed.ca
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Brian T Barber
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