Rooting sitka spruce from southeast Alaska.

Abstract

Rooting and shoot growth characteristics of 10-, 15-, and 20-year-old Sitka spruce cuttings were studied. Twigs from three branch orders were tested with or without 5000 parts per million indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) hormone treatment. Rooting success averaged 64 percent. The effect of ortet age on rooting success was not significant. Cuttings from first-order branch positions rooted slightly better than cuttings from second- and third-order positions. Cuttings treated with the IBA hormone had slightly poorer root induction than control cuttings for all ortet age-branch order combinations, except first-order twigs from 15- and 20-year-old trees. Stecklings from 10-year-old ortets had greatest 1st-year shoot growth and lowest cull rate when they were transplanted and less plagiotropic growth than cuttings from 15- and 20-year-old ortets.

Citation

Copes, Donald L. 1987. Rooting sitka spruce from southeast Alaska. Res. Note PNW-RN-465. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 8 p