Search Results
Abstract
Current-year branches in the uppermost whorl of unsheared balsam fir [Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.] trees were dipped 1, 2, or 3 times at weekly intervals in 0, 125, 250, 500, or 1000 ppm BA + 0.5% Buffer-X surfactant, starting every 2 weeks between 9 June and 18 Aug. 1982. BA applied once during June and early July increased lateral bud number and branch diameter in 1982, and increased lateral shoot production while decreasing lateral and whorl shoot elongation in 1983. The degree of response increased with increasing BA concentration, the greatest effect being obtained with 1000 ppm applied on 24 June when untreated branches had attained about 70% of their final length. Multiple applications were no more effective than a single application and caused phy to toxicity. The results indicate that BA application may be a useful method for increasing crown density in balsam fir Christmas trees.