My research is largely focused on the field of genetics of wood and fibre traits and the contents of wood chemicals in mainly Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). When studying these wood quality traits I have worked very much with fast indirect and non-destructive techniques. Wood traits in focus have been wood density, fibre dimensions, modulus of elasticity, microfibril angle and chemical content, among which I concentrated on the content of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and wood extractives.
Main aims have been: i) to evaluate genetic parameters for and wood and fibre traits and their relationships, and thereby estimate their breeding potential, ii) to estimate the genetic correlations between wood quality traits and growth traits for evaluating the possibilities to include them in breeding programs, iii) to evaluate indirect techniques for measuring wood quality traits, e.g. acoustic velocity, X-ray, optical measurement of fibre sizes (Kajaani Fiber analyzer), wood penetration resistance (resistograph and pilodyn instrument) and chemical analyses with spectroscopic techniques and iv) to determine the distribution of wood and fibre traits and their genetic parameters vertically and radially in the tree, and thereby evaluate genetic parameters on whole tree level.
Left: Measurement of acoustic velocity in a lodgepol pine progeny test; Right: 10-mm increment core of Scots pine for analysis
I take also part in a project at the department working with molecular techniques (genome-wide association study, GWAS, association mapping and SNP array) for re-sequencing the Norway spruce genome and for population genetic study of the species. My part here is to organize the field work (collection of material, measurements etc.) and to contribute with my experience of the Swedish field test resources.
The wood in our forest trees has a complex structure with juvenile wood and mature wood, and also earlywood and latewood. These different components have their own characteristics. Forest products get an increasing importance and can be used for new type of products as we learn better how to use the different components. At the same time are the wood and fibre traits strongly genetically inherited and they are thus suitable for including in breeding programs. The most generally stated negative phenotypic and genetic correlation between volume growth and wood density is, however, a challenge.

Distribution of fibres and other particles in length classes for indirectly estimating fibre length in Scots pine.
Svensk sammanfattning
Key Publications
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Hayatgheibi H, Fries A, Kroon J, Wu HX. (2019). Genetic analysis of fiber-dimension traits and combined selection for simultaneous improvement of growth and stiffness in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH, 49(5):500-509. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2018-0445
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Hayatgheibi H, Fries A, Kroon J, Wu HX (2019). Estimation of genetic parameters, provenance performances, and genotype by environment interactions for growth and stiffness in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta). SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH, 34(1):1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/02827581.2018.1542025
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Hong Z, Fries A, Wu HX (2015). Age trend of heritability, genetic correlation, and efficiency of early selection for wood quality traits in Scots pine. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH; 45 (7):817-825. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjfr-2014-0465
CV DR. Anders Fries
Education and academic degrees
- 1995 Docent, Forest genetics. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå
- 1987 PhD (Forest Doctor) in Forest genetics (Genetics of lodgepole pine). Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå.
- 1980 Candidate of Philosophy
Employments
Current employment
- 1995 Associate professor. Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå
Previous employment
- 1987-1995 Field geneticist and researcher. Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå
- 1981-1987 Research assistant and PhD student
Stipends and special awards
- 1995-1996 Worked on a stipend seven months at the European Forest Institute och Climatic effects on forest production
Publication list
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Genetic improvement of the chemical composition of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestrisL.) juvenile wood for bioenergy production
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY BIOENERGY July 2020, Early access
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Predicting the chemical composition of juvenile and mature woods in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) using FTIR spectroscopy
Wood Science And Technology 2020, February Early Access
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Advantage of clonal deployment in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst)
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE 2020, 77(1):14
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Genetic analysis of fiber-dimension traits and combined selection for simultaneous improvement of growth and stiffness in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH 2019, 49(5):500-509
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Estimation of genetic parameters, provenance performances, and genotype by environment interactions for growth and stiffness in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH 2019, 34(1):1-11
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Damage by pathogens and insects to Scots pine and lodgepole pine 25 years after reciprocal plantings in Canada and Sweden
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH 2017, 32(6):459-472
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Growth and survival of lodgepole pine and Scots pine after 25 years in a reciprocal transplant experiment in Canada and Sweden
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH 2017, 32(4):287-296
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Age trend of heritability, genetic correlation, and efficiency of early selection for wood quality traits in Scots pine
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH, 2015; 45 (7):817-825
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Measuring stiffness using acoustic tool for Scots pine breeding selection
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH, 2015 30(4):363-372
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Stem damage of lodgepole pine clonal cuttings in relation to wood and fiber traits, acoustic velocity, and spiral grain
SCANDINAVIAN JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH 2014, 29(8):764-776
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Functional Multi-Locus QTL Mapping of Temporal Trends in Scots Pine Wood Traits
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS, 4 (12):2365-2379
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High negative genetic correlations between growth traits and wood properties suggest incorporating multiple traits selection including economic weights for the future Scots pine breeding programs
ANNALS OF FOREST SCIENCE, 2014, 71(4):463-472
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Genetic status of Norway spruce (Picea abies) breeding populations for northern Sweden
SILVAE GENETICA, 2013; 62(3):127-136
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Fries A
Genetic parameters, genetic gain and correlated responses in growth, fibre dimensions and wood density in a Scots pine breeding population
Annals of Forest Science, 2012 69(7):783-794
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Density and wood biomass development in a whole-tree analyses of Scots pine, and aspects on heritability estimates
Silvae Genetica 2011 60(5): 224-231
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Juvenile growth of provenances and open pollinated families of four Russian larch species (Larix Mill.) in Swedish field tests
Silvae Genetica 2011 60(5): 165-177
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Sillanpää MJ, Pikkuhookana P, Abrahamsson S, Knürr T, Fries A, Lerceteau E, Waldmann P, Garcia-Gil MR
Simultaneous estimation of multiple quantitative trait loci and growth curve parameters through hierarchical Bayesian modeling
Heredity: 2011, 1-13
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Hallingbäck HR, Jansson G, Hannrup B, Fries A
Which annual rings to assess grain angles in breeding of Scots pine for improved shape stability of sawn timber?
Silva Fennica: 2010 44: 275-288
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Torimaru T, Wang X-R, Fries A, Andersson B, Lindgren D
Evaluation of pollen contamination in an advanced Scots pine seed orchard in Sweden
Silvae Genetica: 2009 58:262-269
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Loha A, Tigabu M, Fries A
Genetic variation among and within populations of Cordia africana in seed size and germination responses to constant temperatures
Euphytica: 2009 165:189-196
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Wang X-R, Torimaru T, Lindgren D, Fries A
Marker-based parentage analysis facilitates low input "breeding without breeding" strategies for forest trees
Tree Genetics & Genomes: 2010 6:227-235
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Fries A, Ericsson T
Genetic parameters for earlywood and latewood densities and development with increasing age in Scots pine
Annals of Forest Science: 2009 66:404
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Eysteinsson T, Karlman L, Fries A, Martinsson O, Skulason B
Variation in spring and autumn frost tolerance among provenances of Russian larches (Larix Mill.)
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research: 2009 24:100-110
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Loha A, Tigabu M, Fries A
Genetic variation among and within populations of Cordia africana in seed size and germination responses to constant temperatures
Euphytica: 2008, on line
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Svensson I, Sjöstedt-de Luna S, Mörling T, Fries A, Ericsson T
Adjusting for fibre length-biased sampling probability using increment cores from standing trees
Holzforschung: 2007 61:101-103
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Loha A, Tigabu M, Teketay D, Lundkvist K, Fries A
Provenance variation in seed morphometric traits, germination, and seedling growth of Cordia africana Lam
New Forests: 2006 32:71-86
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Fries A, Ericsson T
Estimating genetic parameters for wood density of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
Silvae Genetica: 2006 55:84-92
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Ericsson T, Fries A
Genetic analysis of fibre size in a full-sib Pinus sylvestris L. progeny test
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research: 2004 19:7-13
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Fries A, Ericsson T, Mörling T
Measuring relative fibre length in Scots pine by non-destructive wood sampling
Holzforschung: 2003 57:400-406
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Mörling T, Sjostedt-de Luna S, Svensson I, Fries A, Ericsson T
A method to estimate fibre length distribution in conifers based on wood samples from increment cores
Holzforschung: 2003 57:248-254
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Ericsson T, Fries A, Gref R
Genetic correlations of heartwood extractives in Pinus sylvestris progeny tests
Forest Genetics: 2001 8:73-79
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Fries A, Ericsson T, Gref R
High heritability of wood extractives in Pinus sylvestris progeny tests
Canadian Journal of Forest Research-Revue Canadienne De Recherche Forestiere: 2000 30:1707-1713
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Fries A, Lindgren D, Ying CC, Ruotsalainen S, Lindgren K, Elfving B, Karlmats U
The effect of temperature on site index in western Canada and Scandinavia estimated from IUFRO Pinus contorta provenance experiments
Canadian Journal of Forest Research-Revue Canadienne De Recherche Forestiere: 2000 30:921-929
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Fries A
Heartwood and sapwood variation in mature provenance trials of Pinus sylvestris
Silvae Genetica: 1999 48:7-14
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Ericsson T, Fries A
High heritability for heartwood in north Swedish Scots pine
Theoretical and Applied Genetics: 1999 98:732-735
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Fries A, Ericsson T
Genetic parameters in diallel-crossed Scots pine favor heartwood formation breeding objectives
Canadian Journal of Forest Research-Revue Canadienne De Recherche Forestiere: 1998 28:937-941
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Fries A, Ruotsalainen S, Lindgren D
Effects of temperature on the site productivity of Pinus sylvestris and lodgepole pine in Finland and Sweden
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research: 1998 13:128-140
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Fries A, Kaya Z
Genetic control of rooting ability of lodgepole pine cuttings
Forest Science: 1997 43:582-588
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Fries A, Kaya Z
Parameters affecting shoot production and its rooting of cuttings from lodgepole pine hedges
New Forests: 1996 12:101-111
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Fries A
Development of flowering and the effect of pruning in a clonal seed orchard of lodgepole pine
Canadian Journal of Forest Research: 1994 24:71-76
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Fries A
Nursery growth and dry weight of plus tree progenies of Pinus contorta
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research: 1991 6:161-176
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Fries A
Genetic parameters of 2-year-old full-sib families of Pinus contorta and correlation with field test data
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research: 1989 7:137-147
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Fries A
Volume growth and wood density of plus tree progenies of Pinus contorta in two Swedish field trials
Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research: 1986 1:403-419
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Fries A, Lindgren D
Performance of Plus Tree Progenies of Pinus-Contorta Originating North of Latitude 55-Degrees-N in a Swedish Trial at 64-Degrees-N
Canadian Journal of Forest Research-Revue Canadienne De Recherche Forestiere: 1986 16:427-437
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Fries A
Spacing interaction with genotype and with genetic variation for production and quality traits in a trial of seedlings and grafted clones of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)
Silvae Genet: 1984 33:145-152