This volume provides an up-to-date progress report on somatic embryogenesis in woody plants including both angiosperm and gymnosperm trees. It enables readers to get a clear view of this subject. The historical, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects are covered, as well as the applications during protoplasts, cryopreservation, manufactured (artificial) seed, genetic transformation, bioreactors, mutations. Future uses in forest plantations are also looked into. Each woody plant highlighted in the book is first briefly introduced, covering botany and genetics, importance and geographical distribution, breeding problems and in vitro propagation, and any problems associated with that plant. That is then followed by a description of the initiation and maintenance of embryogenic cultures, embryo development and germination, and field trials (if any) of these plants. This book is aimed at graduate students and researchers in forestry and horticulture as well as biotechnologists.