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Growing native Irish trees from seed.


 
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Gautama
Hazel Tree
Hazel Tree


Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:59 am    Post subject: Growing native Irish trees from seed. Reply with quote
I'm planning on growing a number of native Irish trees from seed this year.
I'm going to focus on either smaller trees (rowan) or rarer trees (Arbutus, aspen). It's my intention to collect the seeds myself.

I would like to ask posters if they can suggest somewhere in the Dublin area that has a good selection of native Irish trees, in particular the rarer ones. I believe that Arbutus is in the Killarney area only, but where's the best place to find aspen, crab apple and so on?

Also, what's the best time to collect the seeds. Is September as good as October for rowan, or would the birds have eaten the berries by then?

About how many seeds would be required to produce one healthy tree?
I collected holly a few years back; of about 20 berries three germinated and two of these are now growing nicely, five years later. The third is looking a bit stunted/naked.

Any other advice would be appreciated.
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BlackBird
Silver Birch Tree
Silver Birch Tree


Joined: 25 Jan 2007
Posts: 165
PostPosted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
The national botanic gardens in Glasnevin is your best bet Gautama. All the tree are labelled so you will be sure of what seeds you are picking. Plus they have an Arbutus just a bit inside the front gate, well they did the last time I was there. Wink I don't know what the etiquette is about taking seeds from these trees. You probably want to ask a warden or gardener there in case you get turfed out.
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medieval knievel
Rowan Tree
Rowan Tree


Joined: 03 Sep 2007
Posts: 112
PostPosted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
do rowan seeds need to be stratified?
i collected a few from a tree on o'connell street (got a few stares in the process) and none of them germinated the following spring.
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Gautama
Hazel Tree
Hazel Tree


Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
BlackBird wrote:
The national botanic gardens in Glasnevin is your best bet Gautama.


Now why didn't I think of that? I've been meaning to visit one of these days but the two ideas never coincided.

Thank you.

I've had a look at their website and all the trees are mapped out, it's a great resource. I assume that Sep/Oct would be the best time to collect seeds?
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Gautama
Hazel Tree
Hazel Tree


Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
medieval knievel wrote:
do rowan seeds need to be stratified?
i collected a few from a tree on o'connell street (got a few stares in the process) and none of them germinated the following spring.


Yes, moist chilling starting December for April planting.
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cooler
Silver Birch Tree
Silver Birch Tree


Joined: 15 Jun 2006
Posts: 174
PostPosted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:50 am    Post subject: Re: Growing native Irish trees from seed. Reply with quote
Gautama wrote:
I'm planning on growing a number of native Irish trees from seed this year.
I'm going to focus on either smaller trees (rowan) or rarer trees (Arbutus, aspen). It's my intention to collect the seeds myself.

I would like to ask posters if they can suggest somewhere in the Dublin area that has a good selection of native Irish trees, in particular the rarer ones. I believe that Arbutus is in the Killarney area only, but where's the best place to find aspen, crab apple and so on?


Tons of parks around Dublin, you are spoilt for choice. Fairview park, Herbert Park, Merrion Square Park, St Annes Park etc. But one with the trees labelled like the mentioned botanics would make it easier.

Gautama wrote:

Also, what's the best time to collect the seeds. Is September as good as October for rowan, or would the birds have eaten the berries by then?



Early September if the seeds are at the peak of their redness, any earlier and the seeds would not be set (infertile), any later and the birds will have them gone. Very Happy

Gautama wrote:

About how many seeds would be required to produce one healthy tree?


Don't know exactly and i am sure it varies, but a good rule of thumb would be 5 seeds to one plant.

Gautama wrote:

I collected holly a few years back; of about 20 berries three germinated and two of these are now growing nicely, five years later. The third is looking a bit stunted/naked.


I put a lot of it down to these mild winters we are getting. No right cold to break the dormancy of the seeds especially holly which have a deep dormancy, 2 winters i think. I bet the next really cold winter we get will result in a upsurge of tree seedlings the following spring. It may be worth cold treating your holly seeds in a fridge for a few weeks next time Gautama so that you will not have to rely on winter to deliver the chills.
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Gautama
Hazel Tree
Hazel Tree


Joined: 29 Aug 2008
Posts: 5
PostPosted: Sat Sep 06, 2008 4:14 pm    Post subject: Re: Growing native Irish trees from seed. Reply with quote
cooler wrote:
Tons of parks around Dublin, you are spoilt for choice. Fairview park, Herbert Park, Merrion Square Park, St Annes Park etc. But one with the trees labelled like the mentioned botanics would make it easier.



Do you know for certain if these parks have many native Irish trees? I was around Marlay Park today and they're aren't many native trees. Mainly sycamore and beech, then some horsechestnut, and disappointingly few native, eg oak, birch and yet.
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GPI
Site Admin


Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 1202
Location: West of Ireland
PostPosted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 8:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Gautama, you may have to do a combo of the parks mentioned to fill all your alloted native tree blanks.
I am currently putting together a piece that you may be interested in having a look at.... Growing native trees from seed, pre-treatment tips.
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