This paper is primarily a review of published reports on the propagation of spruce
(Picea spp.) by stem cuttings. Because of space limitations, the reviewer will not
summarise all works known to him, but instead make comments to cover several papers
with a common subject. Previous reviews on rooting cuttings of spruce include those
of Forestry Abstracts, 1941; Meahl, 1957; and Ferguson, 1968.
Propagation of Picea by cuttings is a problem which, as Ferguson (1968) indicated,
"seems to come from the fact that many variables are involved, and to different propagators
the variables take on different degrees of importance. This may be due to the
fact that what he is doing is most important, or maybe one variable gave the best result
for him so he thinks it should be the most important for all who are rooting Picea. . . ."
Because the variables which influence rooting and early growth of cuttings of spruce
are numerous, only those which I consider most important will be mentioned herein.
These include: species, population, individual, age of ortet, position of cutting on the
tree and branch, type and length of cutting, time of year, chemical treatment, rooting
medium, and temperature of the air and of the rooting medium.