The tree genus Populus (aka Poplars) is a diverse collection of species that have significant commercial, wildlife and aesthetic value. The cottonwoods, balsam and aspens comprise the three major groups of Poplars. The cottonwood types and their hybrids (aka “Hybrid Poplars”) are most commonly used in plantation culture, since they are easy to propagate, coppice from the cut stumps and have a rich history of research and development.

The aspens differ from traditional Hybrid Poplars since they are more difficult to propagate but can re-establish themselves from the cut stumps and their root systems. This capability may allow plantation establishment with less resource inputs and environmental impact. The re-generated growth may also provide biomass harvests with mutual benefits for the higher value tree crop, biomass industries and wildlife diversity - a synergistic resource. 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.

The Early Years

In the early 1990's Patrick McGovern was involved in an aspen tree improvement project that was funded by the Department of Energy and supervised by Dr. Richard B. Hall of Iowa State University. The primary objective was for biomass production of aspen materials with the majority of the work completed during 1990 and 1993. Over 140 crosses were produced with aspen material from Canada, Michigan and European sources. These materials were distributed for testing and observation to several cooperators.

In 2004 a “Phase II” aspen breeding project was initiated by Patrick McGovern with assistance from two cooperators. Select trees from the 83xAA04 family have shown impressive vigor, tree form and the ability to propagate from hardwood cuttings.

The Phase III Project

In 2010 a self funded Phase III project was initiated by Brad Bender and Patrick McGovern to leverage previous gains and provide a better foundation for future crosses with American and European aspens. It involved a variety of strategies with the 83xAA04 family and a vigorous aspen located in SW Michigan

The Phase IV Project

Traditional hybrid poplars and willows are well adapted to moist sites that are ideal for food and crop production. A 2012-14 Phase IV project was initiated to develop vigorous aspen genotypes that are more native with good rooting, figured wood and adaptable to a variety of sites. We leverage double hybrid materials and back cross them with native big tooth aspen (P. grandidentata), small tooth aspen (P. tremuloides) and other double hybrids.. The strategy will also select big tooth clones to create a gene pool of native parents as site controls and increased breeding opportunities. Some hybrid crosses can produce selections with "effectively sterile" progeny to prevent interbreeding with native populations. Cooperators will be sought for consultation and regional field trials of these materials within the P. grandidentata range. To date, 207 aspen families and 214 clones have been produced or introduced in this project. For more details see the following important documents:

• Low-Resource Aspen Breeding and Nursery Selection Strategies

• Hybrid Aspen Research and Deployment Strategies

• Open4st Project News

The Open4st Philosophy

The open4st project promotes Open Research strategies to advance scientific knowledge and collaboration. Patenting of ideas and plant materials may hinder forward progress and increase the time to market. Ideally, a project should be funded at the onset and all materials and information made freely available to appropriate participants. The open4st project does not use or produce any Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). These trees are intended to be used in purpose grown plantations on marginal sites and relieve the resource pressure from old growth forest stands. For more information please look around our site and check out our Open4st video.

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