Tree and Shrub Seeds

Latin Name: Prunus tomentosa DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Northern and western China and Mongolia Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 1.5m x 1.5m Overview: Nanking Cherry cherry is an excellent choice for fruit gardens or agroforestry planting in cold temperate regions. It also makes an attractive hedge. This seed strain was selected because of its consistent production of tangy red cherries. Cross pollination is required for fruit production so more than one plant is required. Fruits: Cherry red drupe. Average number of seeds/packet: 150 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak seeds for 24 hours then stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 100 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late July or early August (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Outdoor seedbed - Sow 2 cm deep and 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell 1 cm deep. Growing conditions: Nanking cherry is hardy and will grow in a variety of soils but will not tolerate heavy shade. AGROFORESTRY VALUE Nanking cherry is known for its fragrant pink flowers along its branches in the spring, with forest green foliage. It is a good choice for attracting birds. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible red cherries. Fruit can be tangy but is great for jams, jellies, and pies. Extremely winter hardy.   

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Latin Name: Crataegus rotundifolia DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Native to western Canada. Seed Source: Natural stand near Cypress Hills Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 3m x 2m (25 years) Overview: Found in open coulees and bottomlands. This is a hardy shrub excellent for agroforestry applications. This is an improved seed strain adapted to cold, dry climates. Fruits: Fruit is 1.5 cm in diameter, turning fleshy and bright red when mature in late August. Average number of seeds/packet: 250 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 90 days at 20°C followed by 180 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in July (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Sow 1 cm deep, 30 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Loggerhead grows well on most soils except those that are excessively wet, or dry, or soils affected by high pH or salinity AGROFORESTRY VALUE Round-leaved hawthorn is used in farmstead and field shelterbelts, Eco-Buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. The vigorous, dense growth makes it useful for shelterbelts and screening. The attractive form, foliage, and flowering are of ornamental value. Many song and game birds utilize this tree for food and habitat.  

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Latin Name: Elaeagnus angustifolia DESCRIPTION Family: Elaeagnaceae Native Range: Eurasia Seed Source: Established trees near Rafferty Lake, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 9m x 5m (15 years) Overview: A fast-growing tree that is a nitrogen fixer. It is extremely hardy and adapted to low-quality, droughty soils. It prefers well-drained soils of medium texture and will tolerate moderately saline soils. Seed can be spread by birds to unwanted locations. Fruits: A silver-coloured dry achene 3 to 6mm long. Fruits remain on shrubs over winter. Average number of seeds/packet: 150 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify seeds for 60 days at 5C and 30 days at 20C.  Ideal sowing time: Stratified seed in late May, non-stratified seed in October. Sowing instructions: Outdoors - sow 2 cm deep. Outdoor seedbed- sow 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse- sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Does well on a variety of soils, including those with high pH and moderately saline. Requires full sunlight, and does not tolerate shade. Agroforestry Value Used for reclamation and wildlife habitat plantings on marginal soils.  

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Latin Name: Amelanchier alnifolia DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Native to the Canadian prairies. Seed Source: Natural stand near Jansen Lake, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 3m x 2m (5 years) Overview: This saskatoon berry seed strain is a bountiful berry producer. These bushes have been an excellent source of berries since the 1950’s. It is characterized by reliable berry production of flavourful medium-sized berries. This strain is adapted to a wide range of growing conditions. Fruit: Berry-like pomes up to 1.0 cm in diameter containing a single seed. Average number of seeds/packet: 600 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Pre-soak seed for 24 hours then stratify in moist sand (10% moisture) for 90-120 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Outdoors - sow 1.0 to 1.5 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Saskatoon berry grows on a wide variety of soils but favors moist, loamy soils with a pH of 5.0 to 8.0. It is shade tolerant but prefers a sunny exposure. AGROFORESTRY VALUE Saskatoon berry is used in shelterbelts, Ecobuffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. The dense roots and rhizomes of Saskatoon make it useful for soil stabilization and erosion control on moist sites including streambanks. It provides good food and cover for birds plus small and large mammals. The berries are highly edible and are a prized fruit-producing plant in the home garden or commercial orchard.  

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Latin Name: Prunus x eminens DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Eurasia Seed Source: 'Carmine Jewel' sour cherry orchard near Lumsden, Saskatchewan Height and Spread: 2m x 2m Overview: In the 1970s the University of Saskatchewan imported and began evaluating P. cerasus x P. fruticosa hybrids from the Siberian Botanical Garden. From this population, the Carmine Jewel cultivar was selected. This seed strain is an open-pollinated seed collected from Carmine Jewel plants. Fruit: A single-seeded small cherry. Average number of seeds/packet: 100 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: 90 days cold stratification at 5C Ideal Sowing Time: Non-stratified seed outdoors in July (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in late May. Sowing Instructions: Outdoors - sow 2.0 cm deep, 50 seeds per meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing Conditions: Grows best on light to medium soils in full sunlight. AGROFORESTRY VALUE Use in Ecobuffers and wildlife habitat plantings. Berries are relished by many songbirds and shrubs provide nesting and roosting cover. The cherries can be preserved as jelly or dried.    

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Latin Name: Rosa woodsii DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Native to the Canadian prairies Seed Source: Natural stand near Lake Margaurite, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 1m x 1m (25 years) Overview: Wood's rose is a small shrub suitable for agroforestry applications. The fruit is a source of Vitamin C. It has showy, pink flowers attractive to pollinators. Fruits: Fruit is a round hip 1.2 cm in diameter, turning fleshy and bright red when mature in late August. Average number of seeds/packet: 625 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 90 days at 20°C followed by 120 days at 5°C. Acid scarification for 30 minutes can substitute for warm stratification Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in July (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Outdoors - sow 0.5 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Wood's rose grows well on most soils except those that are excessively wet, or dry, or soils affected by high pH or salinity AGROFORESTRY VALUE Wood's rose, is used in  Ecobuffers and wildlife habitat plantings. The continuous flowering makes it attractive to pollinators. Many song and game birds utilize this shrub for food and habitat.  

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