Propagation
Propagation by stump culture is a means of regeneration with little effort and is financially successful. The second tree growing on a stump ususally reaches the market in half the time of the the original tree (as a cut Christmas tree). Lower foliage is also sold to wreath makers and produces additional income which will help sustain the Arboretum in the future. Three trees of the Fraser Fir species are growing on the same stump in the photograph above.
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Regeneration
The most common form of regeneration is by seed collection from cones on the tree. This can be difficult with true firs (abies) as the cones must be picked prior to completely opening. Fully ripe cones like those of the Fraser Fir will shatter and the seeds will be dispersed by the wind. Some trees are pollinated by man so as to obtain sufficient quantity of viable seed for propagation. In a good year, only sixty per cent or less of the seed is pollinated. Some seed crops are rare as with Greek Fir. (abies cephalonica). |
