Radiata pine cuttings: an examination of their characteristics at age 12 years, and their future in forestry.  I. O. Cook and L. A. Pederick.  February 1986.  9pp. (unpubl.)

SUMMARY

The growth and form of twelve-year-old radiata pine trees in the Narbethong Plantation, grown from cuttings taken from trees aged 3 to 5 years, were compared with adjacent trees of the same age grown from seeds. The trees of cutting origin had thinner bark and smaller overbark diameter than trees of seedling origin, but there was no significant difference in underbark diameter or height. In addition, the trees of cutting origin had thinner branches.

After allowance for differences in stand density between cutting-and seedling-origin trees, it was concluded that the cuttings produced trees of similar underbark stem volume but with better branch characteristics than the seedlings. These results were consistent with other published work, and indicate that cuttings will be preferable to seedlings in plantations where good tree form is required. This is particularly relevant to sites of high quality and for agroforestry programs.