This study was based on measurements of growth and shape of 50 clones of wild cherry, Prunus avium L, in south Sweden and aimed at finding out wether or not any of these clones are useful for commercial propagation.
Initially, a short assembly of documented knowledge concerning wild cherry as a timber producing tree species was put together. The study of the 50 clones includes information gathered during the fall of 2006 from four trials located in the counties of Blekinge, Småland and Västergöland. The oldest trial, founded in Tranemåla, Blekinge, in 1992, was focused on offspring and aimed at discerning differences between provenances and at developing an adapted plant material. The other experiments were both clone trials and founded in 2002. These are based on 50 individuals selected from the offspring trial in Tranemåla. The 50 individuals were generated through cloning and then planted in six different locations. Materials from three of these six trials are included in this thesis.
The data collection included the following measurements and registrations: tree height, diameter at 1, 3 m above ground level, observation of quality indicators, such as spike knot double top, and stem damage, up to the height of 5 meters. As well, stem straightness was assessed and registered in one of four classes. Several representatives from the sawmill and furniture industries were asked to take part in a survey regarding their preferences and opinions about timber quality of wild cherry. The results from the survey were used in the calculations of commercial usefulness. Only few companies deal with wild cherry in Sweden and greater participation in the survey, i.e. from a larger number of company representatives, would have been desirable.
The results show that the occurrence of timber quality defects varies between the clones. The clone trials in Västergötland, prove to have more defects than the other two trials. In all trials clone number 50 has the best average value according to the calculations. The five best clones according to t...
