Growing Native Trees from Seed – Oaks, Hickories and Others – Part I

Where do you get a blackjack oak or shagbark hickory when you really need one; or how about a longleaf pine or a black gum? Using classroom instruction and field observation, this class will provide information about parent tree selection, seed collection, storage and germination of local native trees. The class is aimed at both home gardeners and small-scale nursery production. We will discuss the importance of locally-sourced native trees from the standpoints of history, ecology and landscape aesthetics. Part II of this class will be in spring, 2016, and will involve planting spring-germinating stratified seed, transplanting small seedlings into larger containers and observing seedling field establishment.