Documents from the outset the domestication of an economically important plant speciesCovering the two main planks of domestication, namely management inputs and genetic improvement
The plant species being a forest tree is an especially distinctive feature
Contrasts the obscurity of the species in nature with its economic importance as a domesticated organism
Comprehensive coverage of a classic case history in the development of modern commercial forestry
Covers the interplay between the technical factors, political and technical institutions, and a range of other human factors
Addresses issues for the future in special depth

Inhalt

Preface.- Acknowledgements.- I. Introduction.- II. Early History: 7,000,000 years ago to 1901 C.E.- III. The Early Plantation Period: 19011951.- IV. The Beginnings of Genetic Improvement: 1951 TO 1968.- V. Development of the Management Concept while Tree Improvement Shifts Gears: 1969 to 1983.- VI. Towards More Precise Genetic Control: 1984-1997.- VII. A Wild Ride: 1998 Onwards.- VIII. In Retrospect.- IX. The Future.- References.- Glossary.- List of Abbreviations.- List of Species Names (common versus Latin).