Techniques for Rooting Aspen Root Sprouts

The Aspen Genetics and Tree Improvement program of the Institute of Paper Chemistry (IPC) has had the problem of vegetatively propagating selected and improved individuals of various Populus species and hybrids for a number of years. With a growing interest in these materials, a number of others have the same problem. As these materials come into use, perpetuating the individual becomes more important silviculturally because it allows a known clone or, preferably, clones to be established as a stand with highly predictable results. Cottonwood-type materials root readily from dormant cuttings, but aspens root poorly if at all from dormant cuttings. An exception is P. alba and its hybrids, which generally root with reasonable ease. This paper is a summary of the experience obtained and minor studies performed on rooting aspen sprouts at the IPC since 1956. The procedures described have been used for large-scale production of selected clones. The procedure is one originally described by C. Muhle Larsen (3). His technique utilized sections of roots kept in sphagnum to force adventitious buds to break. The resulting shoot was cut from the root and treated as a succulent cutting. The succulent shoots root quite readily for most of the aspens. Succulent tips from growing aspen have also been rooted with some success using this technique.

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Author(s): Miles K. Benson, Delmar E. Schwalbach

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Volume 21, Number 3 (1970)

Volume: 21

Number: 3