Reasons
for the seed orchard conference
- As a partner in TREEBREEDEX, I felt the Umeå team had a
responsibility to contribute something to Treebreedex, and I felt this was the best way we
could contribute
- I feel seed orchards are the most important issue for the Future of
Mankind and
Earth, and feel happy that I have got this opportunity to support them.
- Sweden has historically launched breeding programs
and tree breeding programs in interaction with Science in a way Sweden could be proud of. Sweden has a long
tradition in tree improvement, our first breeding station started operation
1938, and was not disorganised by the war The first international text book
in forest genetics was issued in Swedish 1946. Sweden is the most important wood
supplier of Europe (Russia excepted). Thus it is natural that others come
and look what became of it.
- I get 65 at 07-09-27, I actually thought of retiring
at the end of September 07, when
the date for the conference was set. The conference would mark the end of my carrier.
The conference could be a reason to bring some of my earlier collaborators
and students together at the end of my carrier.
- Finnvid Prescher has his dissertation 07-09-28. It is
a Friday, and dissertations typical are on Friday to have a party after,
and therefore we could not place it on my birthday. The first decision
made when Finnvid
started his thesis work was to set this dissertation date, as I should still be in service, and Finnvid's
employer should not feel irritated by supporting a project without a distinct
end in the foreseeable future. But later we felt that the thesis would be
successful (nothing to hide) and could be a part of a conference. The thesis
defence could help financing some important speakers and the conference
would give them an additional reason to come to Umeå in addition to
listening to the defence. A few people seed orchard people would probably
come to Umeå just for the defence, and when we could give something else to
do also. The conference will hopefully put the
spotlight on a very well-done and efficient job.
- I have suffered a stroke and certainly have different types of
health problems. But
with Finnvid's thesis and the success in the conference I make the point that I am not dead yet, and actually I
now feel I did so well, so I decided to stay in service till Sept 2009. I
felt it as my duty to Mankind, when I have the privilege to work with
something so important and seem able to perform something, and probably this
will probably come to an end when I retire. I feel the
risk high that Forest Genetics at our University will not survive without
me. Once upon a time we were three professors: Gösta Eriksson, Anders
Persson and me, little remains in Uppsala or Garpenberg after the other two
left active service. I at least delay the degradation by staying.
- According to the official documentation, I took up my current position 770930,
thus it is exactly 30 years service as "full" professor of Forest
Genetics.
- For some it could be like a home-coming party, to come back to forest
genetics at Umeå where they spent some part or their life.
- I will launch a new way of using seed orchards at the
conference dinner, which could become a growing industry.
- Friday 28 is the last day in service before retirement for Erik G Ståhl,
a member of examination committee.
- The conference dinner is in for the dissertation, but
if there is no successful defence, where are some reasons to celebrate
anyway: