Sec. 112.4. Field standards

(a) General.

(1) Unit for designation.

An individual tree, clone or stand of trees may be designated. A designation unit will generally consist of an area not less than a quarter of an acre. A clear and distinct boundary line will be marked with paint between an area and its isolation strip. The outer boundary of the isolation strips shall be marked with a contrasting color or symbol.

(2) Isolation requirements.

Except as otherwise specified, an isolation strip of 400 feet is to be maintained around a designated area. This zone shall be maintained free of off-type plants and other species which might cross-pollinate seed producing trees.

(b) Specific requirements.

(1) Stands or trees will be evaluated for designation as either appropriate for the production of timber products, or having qualities believed to have special value for some other particular use, or both. Such special qualities as the trees or stands may have are to be carefully described.

(2) All stands or trees which are to be designated for seed production shall be of seed bearing age.

(3) Seed producing areas.

A stand should consist of at least 20 trees of high general quality growing sufficiently close to one another that effective cross pollination can be expected. For timber products production, only trees of average or above form, vigor and natural pruning, and average or below in branch size shall remain.

(4) Seed orchards.

The stand will be composed of at least 15 trees. The identity of each tree shall be known and records of the ortet (or parentage in the case of seedling stock) shall be available for inspection. The arrangement shall be such as to maximize cross-pollination between clones. All clones in a seed orchard must be progeny tested and the tests approved by the certifying agency before superior seed can be produced. The records of each progeny test shall be available to the agency and at its discretion it may refer them to proper authorities for evaluation. The field plots of the progeny tests must be maintained until such time as the requirements of the certifying agency are satisfied.

Prior to completion of progeny tests and qualification of superior seed, seed which is produced in seed orchards may be sold as select seed, provided that all ortets or individual trees are expected to eventually meet the standards for “elite trees.”

(5) Elite trees (including varieties):

(i) An elite tree must possess certain characteristics such as superior growth, intrinsic wood quality, distinctive foliage color, etc. which can be described and must be capable of being differentiated from other trees of the same species on the same site. All trees must be progeny tested before designation as elite trees. The progeny tests and records shall be handled as for seed orchard clones.

(ii) Each tree shall be marked with a band of paint not less than 6 inches wide containing identifying numbers and/or letters. The records for each tree shall contain a complete description of the tree and a map showing its exact location.

(iii) Open pollinated seed may be certified select if an isolation strip is maintained as prescribed. Controlled pollinated seed may be certified “Superior” provided the cross presented for certification has been progeny tested and the tests approved by the certifying agency. Propagules from elite trees may be certified superior.