A horticultural technique propagates new trees while still attached to the parent plant. This method encourages root development on a branch, creating an independent clone. Once sufficient roots emerge, the rooted branch is severed and planted as a new tree. This propagation strategy bypasses the need for seeds or cuttings, offering a direct means of replicating desired traits from established specimens.
This propagation method offers significant advantages in specific contexts. It allows for the creation of genetic copies of trees with desirable characteristics, such as superior fruit quality or disease resistance, ensuring consistent yields. The technique is particularly useful for varieties that are difficult to propagate through other means and allows for quicker fruit production compared to seedling-grown trees. Historically, this has been a valuable method for preserving and multiplying prized cultivars.
