In October, a new milestone was reached in our project: the selection of plus trees of Quercus pubescens (pubescent oak) for the creation of a dedicated seed orchard at our partner FVA, in Baden-Württemberg. This orchard will play a key role in ensuring high-quality genetic resources for future forest resilience.
The campaign was led by the FVA team, working closely with experts from WSL Switzerland, and took us deep into the Swiss Jura mountains. Over three sites, we carefully assessed candidate trees, focusing on their morphological traits to distinguish true Quercus pubescens from hybrids with Quercus petraea—a common challenge given the species’ tendency for extensive hybridization.
Our search didn’t stop there. In Burgundy, France, Vincent Boulanger from ONF guided us to two promising locations where Quercus pubescens had been previously identified. Here too, we applied rigorous selection criteria and collected genetic samples for microsatellite analysis, ensuring that only the best candidates make it into the seed orchard.
By securing high-quality reproductive material, we are laying the foundation for sustainable forestry in a changing climate.
Check out the photos from the field (below) to see the beauty of these remarkable oaks in their natural habitat!
