First importations of radiata pine seed from California.

First 'plus-trees' selected in existing NZ radiata pine plantations, with an emphasis on growth rate, stem form and uniform branching habit.

First clonal seed orchard planted for production of seed from the cloned plus-trees.

First seed orchard seed collected and used for plantation establishment.

Recognition and introduction of Dothistroma resistance as a breeding goal.

Seed orchard supply became sufficient to meet plantation demand.

Control-pollinated seed orchard established at Amberley.

Publication of the 'Development Plan for Radiata Pine Breeding' which first described an overall radiata pine breeding strategy.

Initiation of the Seed Certification Scheme, which introduced the GF and subsequent GF Plus™ schemes to the forestry sector.

NZ Radiata Pine Breeding Cooperative formed, with combined industry and government funding support.

Recognition and inclusion of wood property improvement in the breeding programme.

Radiata Pine Breeding Company formed, providing the benefits of being a legal entity, with grower and seed producer shareholders.

Clonal forestry based on somatic embryogenesis and cryopreservation of tissue becomes a commercial option.

First clonal tests of forward selections established.

Genomic Selection R&D partnership commenced.

Publication of the 'RPBC Genetic and Deployment Strategy', with implementation ongoing.

RPBC and Scion successfully develop the first commercially viable SNP chip for radiata pine