Native Plants

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

rate this answer

Thursday - February 05, 2009
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Region: Northeast
Topic: Seed and Plant Sources
Title: Propagating trees in Pennsylvania
Answered by: Joe Marcus and Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
I have been wanting to plant trees at our family camp for quite a few years now to help provide food for the wildlife during in preparation for the cold winters. As a college student, however, both free time and money are quite scarce. I think I might be able to squeeze it in this year, and had several questions. The trees I was thinking of planting were the White and Red Oak, Crabapple, and Walnut. However, I am open to suggestion. Because I am on a very tight budget, I was leaning towards using rooting hormone since I don't know other propagation techniques and don't have the resources to buy individual saplings. What kind of success rate do you think I would have with these types of trees (and any other suggestions you may have)? Also, do you recommend a specific brand or type of soil to plant them in? I was leaning towards the ClonexRed Rooting Gel. Thanks for any help!ANSWER:
You are undertaking a commendable, though long-term project. Mr. Smarty Plants likes tree planters, and the ones you mentioned are good for wildlife...
It sounds as though you intend to propagate the plants by cuttings. The experienced folks around the Wildflower Center would not necessarily recommend that. Large trees, like oaks and walnuts that are grown from cuttings often have root problems after a few years that make them prone to lodging in storms. A better solution would be to plants seeds. The best thing about this is that the seeds are free, which is within your budget. You, of course, would have to spend some time finding and collecting the seeds. Most native tree seeds can be sown directly in the soil where you would like your trees to grow. They might need a little care and protection from deer and other herbivores for the first few years of their lives, but there is nothing especially expensive or difficult about starting trees from seeds. The important thing is to research the species you wish to grow and carefully site your plantings accordingly.
I am going to suggest several references that can help you with this project, and provide links in the NPIN Database to the plants you are interested in.
The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation by Michael Dirr. Dr. Dirr is a noted horticulturist formerly at the University of Georgia. The book may be available in your library, or it can be purchased at Amazon and elsewhere.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service
Ohio State University Extension
University of Florida IFAS Extension
Plants:
Chinkapin Oak Quercus muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak)
White Oak Quercus alba (white oak)
Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak)
Crabapple Malus angustifolia (southern crabapple) and more
White Walnut Juglans cinerea (butternut) and more
Black Walnut Juglans nigra (black walnut) and more
A source of assistance that is closer to home is the Allegheny County Office of the Pennsylvania State Cooperative Extension.
More Seed and Plant Sources Questions
Source for sabadilla lily (Scheonocaulon officinale)
April 25, 2007 - Hi, i'm Dutch and living in Iquitos Amazone Peru. Now i'm looking for the plant sabadilla lilly (sapadilla lilly?). This is a natural pesticide.
Where does this plant grow, where can I find the pla...
view the full question and answer
Search for Texas barberry (Mahonia swaseyi) for sale
September 30, 2007 - Do you know where I can purchase a Texas Barberry (Berberis swaseyi, Texas Mahonia) plant? I live in the Texas hill country.
Thanks
view the full question and answer
Looking for Yucca filamentosa, Adams Needle, to purchase
April 07, 2009 - Where can I purchase Adam's Needle in Austin or Travis County
view the full question and answer
Landscape designers for Texas Hill Country
June 09, 2007 - I need to locate a landscape designer for a Texas Hill Country property. Can you help?
view the full question and answer
Source of Datil Yucca for Anchorage, AK
September 24, 2005 - Mr Smarty Plants,
I want to buy a Datil Yucca Plant. I live in Anchorage Alaska. Can you tell me where I might be able to purchase one?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |