Change of clonal frequency in the second root sucker generation of hybrid aspen

The results indicate a change in clone frequencies over generations in root sucker stands of hybrid aspen. Hybrid aspen reforestation with seedlings originating from several unrelated families will retain genetic variation better in future sucker generations compared to clonal reforestations in which few clones are used. It is appropriate to use a higher number of clones than the normal five to eight used in Sweden today, in order to prevent future clone-specific damage as a result of reduction of clone diversity after several root sucker generations.