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Temperate hardwoods include both genera grown under traditional long-rotation silvicultural regimes, such as Fraxinus and Quercus, and those such as Eucalyptus or Salix grown as short-rotation plantations. Strategies for breeding temperate hardwoods have developed signifi cantly over the past 20 years, informed by conceptual, technological and analytical advances, and by experience with plantation species in both the tropical and temperate worlds. Successful strategies are characterized by clear identifi cation of breeding objectives, critical assessment of strategic options for breeding and delivery of gain, access to and use of the most appropriate genetic resources, and sustained effort by appropriately skilled and supported staff. Breeding activities and cycles for most temperate hardwood species remain in the early stages and generations, and consequently can be expected to deliver substantial genetic gains in at least the short and medium terms. The distribution over time of costs and returns associated with investments in growing long-rotation hardwoods favours a cooperative approach to breeding activities. Introduction: temperate hardwoods and tree breedin