Assessing the potential and constraints for hybrid poplar plantations in the semi-arid regions of British Columbia

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British Columbia (BC) is in need of additional timber supplies. Hybrid poplar trees are fast growing and are widely dispersed in North America. The climate in the southern interior of BC offers the potential for high yields of hybrid poplar. One of the major concerns with hybrid poplar is adequate soil fertility, cold hardiness and high water needs. In semi-arid regions, hybrid poplar might be viable if planted within flood plains because the shallow groundwater may be accessible to the trees. However, the spatial variability of soils in stream/river flood plains can be highly variable. To select the correct hybrid poplar clones, the differences in soil fertility within a flood plain should be known. Therefore, if hybrid poplar is to become a viable fiber source in BC's semi-arid regions, we must understand what level of spatial variability exists within floodplains located within semi-arid areas. This project will be a collaboration between Thompson Rivers University and SK7ain Ventures Ltd. SK7ain Ventures Ltd. is a collaboration between Norbord Inc., a wood product company and the Skeetchestn Indian Band. The potential site is located on Skeetchestn land (flood plain of the Deadman River, BC). Norboard Inc. has agreed to purchase the wood when harvested. However, for this partnership to become a reality, research is needed to determine the feasibility of successfully planting and harvesting hybrid poplar on semi-arid lands. The study objectives are to: a. Determine the soil variability and fertility of soils located within the floodplain of the Deadman River, BC. b. Match the best hybrid poplar clones to the soil and climate of the region. c. Establish a long-term research collaboration between the Thompson Rivers University (TRU), the Skeetchestn Indian Band and Nordbord Inc.