Washington Tree Seed Transfer Zones

climber collecting seeds from a pine tree

State Trust Lands Forest Management

This document is designed to help forest managers seeking to choose the appropriate tree seed(s) for reforestation. It includes information on seed zone elevational bands. This information will help you choose seeds that come from an environment similar to the one where you are planting, improving the odds that your seedlings will succeed.

The maps and guidelines were based on a number of factors influencing seedling success, including climate, vegetation, topography, and genetics. This report summarizes information such as published studies, genetics, and seed transfer rules for a number of species used in reforestation of riparian and upland habitat. Information, including a seed zone map, is given for 16 common tree species.

Full report (9,055KB PDF)

The following sections are provided so that you may quickly view information on your species of interest.

Introductory Materials (includes Introduction, History of Seed Zones—with map, Developing Seed Zones, General Seed Transfer Guidelines for Washington, and Seed Orchard Seed) - (806KB PDF)

Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) (562KB PDF)

Grand fir (Abies grandis) (641KB PDF)

Noble fir (Abies procera) (449KB PDF)

Red alder (Alnus rubra) (550KB PDF)

Alaska yellow cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) (515KB PDF)

Western larch (Larix occidentalis) (538KB PDF)

Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) (556KB PDF)

Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) (551KB PDF)

Lodgepole pine & shore pine (Pinus contorta) (728KB PDF)

Western white pine (Pinus monticola) (729KB PDF)

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) (617KB PDF)

Black cottonwood & populus hybrids (Populus trichocarpa) (945 KB)