Inheritance of Wound Compartmentalization in Soft Maples

Abstract

Compartmentalization of discolored wood associated with stem wounds of soft maple is genetically controlled. Silver maple is apparently a stronger compartmentalizer than red maple, and red X silver maple hybrids are generally superior to red maples. Compartmentalization varies widely among red maples, but there are significant differences in general and specific combining abilities for strong compartmentalization. Thus, in breeding programs designed to produce trees with strong compartmentalization, care must be taken not only to parental selection but also to progeny testing.