254 



6.6 cm. from the ground, a circumference of 94 cm. At a height of 31 to ^6 

 cm. three branches left the main trunk, and took root in several places. At 

 a distance of 1.6 to 2.5 m. from the present trunk, six regular spruces have 

 gradually developed with a height of 2.5 to 4.7 m. 



Fig. 33. A spruce family produced by natural layering-. Three of the branches at 



the base of the trunk have rooted again in several places and their buds 



have there developed into secondary trunks. (After Schiibeler.) 



The spruce stands by itself in its easy formation of adventitious buds, 

 giving rise to gnarls, and in the ability of parts of its aerial axis to form 

 roots quickly. To be sure Schiibeler (loc. cit. p. 163) has also observed 

 rooting in low branches of Juniperus and also in Taxiis haccata, v^^hich have 

 been bent to the earth, and certainly such conditions will occur also in other 

 conifers w^hich grow well from cuttings. But cases of this kind will always 

 remain isolated. 



