Genecology of 20 paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) provenances from British Columbia and northern Idaho

Twenty provenances of paper birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh) were collected from five regions in BC and Idaho. Seedlings were grown at three nurseries and planted in three common gardens in BC and Idaho.;When developing seed zones and seed transfer guidelines for paper birch in BC, these factors need to be considered. The impacts of future climate change on birch deployment must also be considered.;Geographic variation in the timing of bud burst in paper birch is under genetic and environmental control. It follows climatic clines based on latitude, longitude and elevation. The signal for the onset of spring bud flush is determined by an interaction between air and soil temperature and photoperiod. Long distance displacement of provenances from their site of origin can be detrimental to phenology, survival and growth. Differences in stock handling among nurseries and nursery displacement effects also influenced growth and survival of some provenances.