Patrick N. McGovern 2019
Purpose grown hybrid aspen plantings have unique characteristics that could provide significant economic, environmental and wildlife benefits. Aspens can re-establish themselves from their root systems, allowing plantation re-establishment with less resource inputs and environmental impact - a synergistic resource for working forests! Open4st aspens can be propagated from dormant stem cuttings, reducing initial establishment costs and leveraging the most productive clones. Potential markets for these materials include traditional wood/paper products, land reclamation and biomass production. These attributes provide the rationale for the Open4st team to develop high value, good rooting aspens that are more native and effectively sterile.
Below are prioritized research areas to promote more effective hybrid aspen materials, culture and strategies:
Establish regional hybrid aspen field trials testing a variety of materials and tree shelters.
Partner with research centers and wood products companies to align their concerns/markets with aspen breeding goals.
Partner with select tree nurseries to market patent free public domain selections for a sales percentage - a "breeders tip".
Investigate a Phase 5 aspen breeding project for more native, disease resistant and effectively sterile hybrid aspens.
Investigate low cost aspen establishment options via 18" dormant ministools.
Investigate hybrid aspen utilization and marketing opportunities, including highly figured aspen wood.
Investigate the role sustainable hybrid aspen working forests can play in mitigating potential climate change.
Investigate non-GMO strategies and protocols for selecting effectively sterile aspens.
Investigate plant/wildlife interactions within hybrid aspen plantings.
Partner with cooperators to help locate native bigtooth aspens with high figure.
Investigate economic models for hybrid aspen working forests on clearcut conversion and open field sites.
Investigate using hybrid aspen as a fire resistant barrier.
Investigate aspen precomercial thinning strategies to increase growth for a target product class.
Investigate early aspen flowering techniques.
Investigate herbicide applications for aspen plantings.