Author(s): Chris Rosier & John Frampton
Where Published: HortScience
Date of Publication: June 2005
Research Dates: 2001-2003
Subject Area: Vegetative propagation of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) by rooted cuttings

Summary: Two experiments were conducted to develop a protocol for rooting stem cuttings from 3-, 5-, and 7-year-old Fraser fir Christmas Trees. The first experiment tested the effect of stumping treatments and tree age on shoot production and subsequent adventitious rooting. One auxin (IBA) concentration and a nonauxin control were tested. Stock plants were stumped to the first whorl (trees in the field 3 and 5 years) or the first, third and fifth whorls (trees in the field 7 years.) Intact (nonstumped) controls were also included for each age. The second experiment was desinged to create a quantitative description of the effects that crown (foliage and above-ground branches of a tree) position have on the rooting of stem cuttings collected from stumped and nonstumped trees. The exact position was determined by measuring the distance from the stem, height from the ground and the degrees from north. Crown positions were recorded as cuttings were collected and then cuttings were tested for rooting response. The rooting traits assessed in both experiments included rooting percentage, percent mortality, number of primary roots, total root length, root symmetry and root angle. In the first experiment, rooting percentage, primary root production, and total root length increased as the age of the stock plant decreased and the severity of the stumping treatment incrased. Auxin treatment significantly increased rooting percentage, root production, root lengths and root symmetry while decreasing mortality. Overall, the highest rooting percentages (51%) and the greatest number of primary roots (8.1) occurred when 3-year-old stock plants were stumped to the first whorl.

To obtain copies of this report, contact:
John Frampton
Box 8002
Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8002
Phone: 919/515-7580
E-mail: john_frampton@ncsu.edu

Author(s): James H. Brown
Where Published: Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research & Development Center Research Bulletin 1191
Date of Publication: 1999
Research Dates: 1981-1999
Subject Area: Genetics of the West Virginia seed sources of balsam fir (Abies balsamea var. phanerolepis)

Summary: Seed was collected in 1981 from individual trees in the four areas where balsam fir is native in West Virginia. Evaluations of trees grown from those collections made over a 11-year priod beginning in 1985 identified significant differences between trees from within- and between-stands in growth, form, foliage characteristics and bud break for trees from the four areas. Trees from two areas, Stone Coal Run in Tucker County and Blister Swamp in Pocahontas County generally had trees with more desirable characteristics for Christmas Trees than those from Blister Run in Randolph County and Canaan Valley in Tucker County. Individual trees from the original study area were identified for clonal propagation and two seed orchards using cuttings from those trees have been established on the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center Campus in Wooster, Ohio.

To obtain copies of this report, contact:
Dr. James H. Brown
OSU/OARDC
129 Williams Hall
1680 Madison Avenue
Wooster, OH 44691
Phone: 330/263-3916
E-mail: brown.14@osu.edu

Author(s): Chris Rosier & John Frampton
Where Published: HortScience
Date of Publication: October 2004
Research Dates: 2001-2003
Subject Area: Vegetative propagation of Fraser fir (Abies fraseri) by rooted cuttings

Summary: The effects of type of auxin (IBA or NAA), auxin concentration, and stage of development (hardwood, softwood or semi-hardwood) on the rooting of Fraser fir cuttings from 3- and 4-year-old seedlings were studied. Best results (>90% rooting success) were obtained with 5mM (about 930 ppm) NAA and 14 mM (about 2850 ppm) IBA using semi-hardwood cuttings that had been collected in June.

To obtain copies of this report, contact:
John Frampton
Box 8002
Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27695-8002
Phone: 919/515-7580
E-mail: john_frampton@ncsu.edu