In the present-day context of intensive management of forest land, with the introduction of fast-growing exotics and genetic improvement of forest tree species, it is most important to develop fast and economical methods of raising superior stock. Vegetative propagation of forest trees is potentially very useful for replicating clonal material and for the multiplication of stock. Clones offer the advantages of genetic uniformity and the immediate availability of superior individuals for seed orchards and for plantations. Considerable efforts have been made in many countries to develop techniques of clonal propagation for tree improvement programmes and for field a forestation. Of various methods of vegetative propagation of forest tree species, the one most likely to succeed on a large scale is the rooting of shoot cuttings. Setting of cuttings can avoid the problems of seed collection and of ensuring germination and subsequent survival of young seedlings. Stem or shoot portions are generally very good material for rooting purposes, because they usually have undifferentiated tissues which may permit initiation of root primordia, and they also have buds already formed. The frequent early flowering of shoot cuttings can save time and makes the work of the tree breeder easier as he can work much closer to the ground.
