Short Rotation Forestry of Hybrid Poplars Bulletin: Hybrid Poplar Research Cooperative

Research Cooperative

Herbicide trials on hybrid poplar have resulted in more successful weed control practices. Seed and flowers are collected from superior native cottonwoods from northern Minnesota.

Herbicide trials on hybrid poplar have resulted in more successful weed control practices.

Seed and flowers are collected from superior native cottonwoods from northern Minnesota.

The Minnesota Hybrid Research Cooperative (MHPRC) was formed in March 1996 with the support of the state of Minnesota, its mission is to:

produce genetically superior cottonwood and hybrid poplar trees.
improve cultural practices.
increase wood yields.
provide technical assistance to cooperative members and the public.

The focus of the MHPRC is to provide a research base to produce wood fiber that has high value to the grower and the industry user. The development of new and improved cultural practices will bring costs down the increase profits to the farmers who are growing trees an alternative agricultural crop.

The current members of the cooperative include:

The Agricultural Utilization Research Institute
Blandin Paper Company
Boise Cascade Corporation
Champion International
Lee Nursery
Minnesota Power
Potlatch Corporation
The University of Minnesota, Crookston
The University of Minnesota, Natural Resources Research Institute
WesMin RC&D
Terra International

Projects being implemented at this time are:

breeding and field testing of new hybrids.
evaluation of various planting and maintenance practices.
evaluation of existing hybrids from throughout the northern hemisphere.

The MHPRC is open for membership to the public and industry for a nominal cost. For membership details, contact any of the following people:

Bill Berguson
University of Minnesota - NRRI
BBERGUSO@SAGE.NRRI.UMN.EDU
(218) 720-4296

Wendell Johnson
University of Minnesota, Crookston
WJOHNSON@MAIL.CRK.UMN.EDU
(218) 281-8262

Edward Wene
Agricultural Utilization Research Institute - Crookston, Minnesota
EWENE@AURI.ORG
(218) 281-7600