Summary:

This Information Note reviews evidence from trials and provides recommendations and advice to growers seeking to select the best broadleaved provenances for British conditions. Seed lots of native broadleaved species collected in eastern continental Europe should not be planted in Great Britain (GB) unless there is good evidence that such material has performed well over a rotation. Transfering planting material from north to south (of the order of hundreds of kilometres) within GB will generally lead to a loss of vigour compared with using locally sourced material. Transfering material similar distances from south to north will generally lead to increased early vigour, when compared with using locally sourced material. However there may be problems regarding frost-hardiness and reaction to any severe climatic events that may occur in the future. Care should be taken to match the elevation of the provenance with the elevation of the planting site. This becomes of increasing importance the further north within GB the planting site is located and once elevations greater than 300 m are considered. Using seed from a selected stand, as defined under the Forest Reproductive Material Regulations, will usually give rise to more productive planting of better form and faster initial growth, compared with using seed from the lower category of source identified material. Further provenance trials are planned which will address the degree of local adaptation.