2014 Greater Yellowstone Area Cone Collections
Project: Greater Yellowstone Area Cone Collections
Agency/Forest or Park/District: Gallatin, Custer, Shoshone, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests
Project coordinator: Karl Buermeyer, Chair, GYCC Whitebark pine subcommittee
Contact: Karl Buermeyer; USDA Forest Service; Bridger-Teton National Forest; Blackrock Ranger Station; P.O. Box 278; Moran, WY 83013; 307-543-3909; kbuermeyer@fs.fed.us
Cooperators: Gallatin, Custer, Shoshone, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests
Source of funding/amount FHP: WBP: $32,000 of funding provided; FS supplemental funding: $43,000 (salaries, travel, equipment)
Dates of restoration efforts: Summer 2014
Objectives: Collect whitebark pine cones for operational use in planting within the GYA. Multiple fires in recent years within the GYA have depleted the seed bank. Field work done in FY13 has led to the observation that good cone crops will be available next summer. This request would take advantage of those good cone crops while meeting the immediate and future needs for planting.
Acres/ha treated: Seed is now available to be used in the entire GYGT Seed Zone
Methods: Priority seed collection areas were stands harboring (Plus) trees determined through rust screening to be in the upper 50th percentile in rust resistance.
Planting? If so, source of seedlings? Resistance? N/A
Outcome: 53 Bushels of whitebark pine cones were collected on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge, Gallatin, and Shoshone NFs. Matching program funding was used in other jurisdictions. Project complete.
Monitoring since completion of the project:
Dates:
Plans for future monitoring?
Will outcome meet goals? Yes
Future actions/follow up: Need to obtain data on pounds of seed and estimated seedling capacity following extraction at CdA Nursery.
Miscellaneous comments: Under-estimated cost of force account climbers due to extensive need for overtime.
