PRT Okanagan consists of three nurseries in the south central interior region of British Columbia, known as the Okanagan. They are located at Armstrong, Vernon and Summerland, respectively. Marketing and administrative functions are provided from our Armstrong location. Collectively, the three nurseries have capacity for the production of 11 million greenhouse and 24 million open compound grown crops, for a total of 35 million seedlings annually. In addition, PRT Vernon is able to produce all of our customer's native plant needs. All commercial tree species planted in Canada and the western United States are grown at PRT Okanagan.

The climate of the Okanagan is characterized by hot summers and mild winters. This favourable climate, plant hardiness zone 5, is ideal for the production of both open compound and greenhouse grown 1+0 crops.

PRT Armstrong is the most northerly of the three nurseries, situated northeast of Vernon on 65 ha (160 acres). Since acquiring this bareroot nursery from Weyerhaeuser Canada Ltd. in October, 1998, we have converted production to container seedling crops. At this location, we also have seed orchards for the production of interior Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine seed.

PRT Vernon overlooks the north arm of Okanagan Lake, and comprises 34 ha (85 acres). At this location, we contribute to the City of Vernon's environmental management program by using treated waste water for irrigation.

PRT Summerland is located in the central Okanagan, approximately 20 km north of Penticton, overlooking the southern tip of Okanagan Lake. It occupies 5 ha (12 acres).

PRT Okanagan offers a full range of standard seedling products and related nursery services, and specializes in the following areas:

1+0 Open Compound Crops for Spring Planting ­ the warm summers in the area are ideal for the production of high quality, outdoor grown lodgepole pine, jack pine and black spruce. These well-conditioned, light-adapted seedlings are economical and provide high value.

Seedlings for Summer Planting ­ custom growing programs provide well-conditioned seedlings for summer planting as 1+0 crops.

Specialty Crops ­ PRT Okanagan has developed expertise in growing high quality crops of difficult to grow species, such as interior Douglas-fir, western larch and ponderosa pine.

Native Plants ­ for restoration, reclamation, landscape and reforestation applications. PRT Vernon produces all native plant crops in containers.

The main seedling products and services offered by PRT Okanagan include:

Products:

• 1+0 greenhouse grown container seedlings
• 1+0 and 2+0 open compound crops
• Brushbuster™
• Nutri-plug™* (contains controlled-release fertilizer)
• Christmas tree liners
• Native Plants

Services:

• Cold storage
• Custom thawing
• Shipping
• Quality assurance
• Crop insurance
• Seed orchard production and management
• Customer support
  • cooperative trials
  • field visits
  • physiological assessments
  • customer seminars
  • literature reviews