Description
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.
