Large-scale control pollination to make hybrid crosses is a production technique – many companies can do it. But the result is not the same.
ArborGen has been at the forefront of large-scale control pollination, testing and producing mass-control pollinated seedlings (MCP®) for the market much longer than any other U.S. company.
We now have more than 100 MCP families adapted to every growing region across the loblolly pine natural range from Virginia to Texas.
Benefiting from more than 70 years of research from our parent companies (MeadWestvaco, International Paper, and Fletcher Challenge), we have long-term field trials and more than 20 years of commercial data. We now have more than 1000 acres of MCP orchards. Some other producers have rushed in to begin control pollination efforts, but it will take years and years to match our levels of gain and actual performance data.
Here’s the reason. After crosses are made from our highly tested parent trees, we create test plots. At approximately age six, we determine those highest-performing trees. Here’s what has to happen next:
ArborGen has four categories of its Mass Control Pollinated (MCP) hybrids separated by increasingly higher levels of volume growth while maintaining the same high standards for log quality depending on the seedling’s parents.
As with our open-pollinated (OP) seedlings, we have MCP Advanced, Select, and Elite. With MCP, we offer an even higher-performing hybrid called “MCP 2.0.” Each category has clearly defined levels of gain and value to meet every landowner’s needs.
We continue to test hundreds of new hybrids for future introduction with more than 600 field trials in place. With the stringent criteria we place on volume growth, straightness, disease resistance, and forking, you can be assured that any new MCP families we produce will be top performers. Contact your ArborGen Reforestation Advisor to determine which MCP product is right for you or to place an order for next season’s MCP.
