Fifteen-Year Provenance Tests of Lodgepole Pine (Pinus contorta) in North Dakota

To determine the usefulness of lodgepole pine in windbreak plantings in the Northern Great Plains, seeds were collected from 25 locations in the western United States and Canada and planted at the Northern Great Plains Research Laboratory ( USDA-ARS) in Mandan, North Dakota. Survival, height, crown diameter, crown density, and Petrova damage were recorded over a 15 yr period. Once established, lodgepole pines were hardy and drought resistant, and there was no mortality after the first 6 yr. Average annual growth was 29 cm. Our results suggest that lodgepole pines may be selected for survival after 2 yr of growth in the field and selected for height after 5 yr. Seed sources from southwestern Montana, northern Idaho, and southern Canada had the best overall performance as measured by good survival, superior height, and narrow crowns. West. J. Appl. For. 13(1):5-11.