Status, Monitoring and Targets for Breeding Programs CONSIDERATIONS OF TIMING AND GRAFT DENSITY OF FUTURE SCOTS PINE SEED ORCHARDS

around 400 grafts per hectare. By production time, this initial density is reduced by mortality and/ or thinning. Density in existing seed orchards is estimated at 267 and 318 grafts/ha in Finland and Sweden, respectively (Kang et al 2001). At present, newly established Scots pine orchards are planned to be at an initial density of 400 grafts/ha or slightly more with an expected operational lifespan of 40 years. Cone collection from new orchards is often recommended first at the stage where orchard’s pollen production reaches 20 kg/ha, which typically occur after 15 years to re-duce the influence of pollen from other sources. Seed production form newly established seed orchards is projected to reach 8 kg/ha between year 20 and 40. Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore some factors of relevance for advanced generations seed orchards, in particular those associated with planting density, start and end of seed collec-tion, costs and cost components and the genetic value of the crop. Methodological framework: A program was developed that considers: 1) seed orchard area (size) 2) planting density, 3) es-tablishment and management costs, 4) cone harvest and seed processing costs, 5) annual ge