TY - JOUR AU - K. Byers AU - G.J. Mayhead AU - S.J. Lee PY - 1997/11/01 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Family variation of biomass and root/shoot ratio in Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.). JF - Irish Forestry JA - IF VL - IS - SE - Articles DO - UR - https://journal.societyofirishforesters.ie/index.php/forestry/article/view/9803 AB - Twelve families of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr.) were grown at 1 m x 1 m spacing on a sheltered fertile site in weed-free conditions. After 3 growing seasons, the trees were lifted and growth parameters recorded. There was a wide range of growth rates between families and blocks and significant differences were demonstrated between dry root and dry shoot biomass, root spread and rooting depth. There were no significant differences between root/shoot ratios. Despite breeding for improved above-ground characteristics, there was no evidence of this compromising factors relating to tree stability. ER -