Clonal Forestry: Genetics and Biotechnology AND Conservation and Application

Provided here are both the underlying theory and recent results concerning the propagation and use of clones in research and in production forestry. State-of-the-art science and case histories treating production, testing, multiplication and deployment of clones are presented. Agroforestry, urban forestry and Christmas tree farming are covered, along with more traditional multiple-use forestry and high-intensity forestry for biomass, wood and fibre production. Clonal forestry is contrasted with the more recent developments of family forestry , and the classical tree-improvement approach relying on seed-orchards. The history of clonal forestry is covered with reviews of several centuries’ experience with sugi in Japan and poplars in Europe. The impact and use of clones in the context of genetic conservation and bio-diversity are discussed, as are the laws and regulations affecting clonal production and deployment.