Abstract

We evaluated the potential of 19 provenances of the coastal variety of Douglas-fir for commercial plantation development in Southern Chile.Seedlings from 668 families were planted in two trials differing in site preparation and previous land use conditions. Height (H), diameter atbreast height (DBH), stem volume index (VOL), and survival (SUR) were measured on all trees at the age of 10 years. Provenances from westof the Cascade Crest in Washington and Oregon performed the best at both sites, whereas provenances from east of the Cascade Crestwere among the worst. Differences among provenances were not large and average H, DBH, VOL, and SUR across all provenances were7.3 m, 11.9 cm, 0.06 m 3, and 82%, respectively. The results indicate good potential of the species at sites in Southern Chile characterizedby high levels of precipitation. Seed sources from coastal Washington and Oregon could provide appropriate planting material under currentclimate conditions