germinate as early as this fall since

germinate as early as this fall since white oak does not require cold treatment to germinate.

Several seeds can be planted in each pot after the cold treatment. One to two tree seedlings potted in a container usually can go through one growing season before they are transplanted into the yard, but it’s really best to thin the plants down to one tree per pot after they germinate in the spring. It takes about five years for a seedling to grow to the size of tree you usually buy from a nursery.

Starting Trees From

Seed Best for Fun,

and To Propagate Native Trees

The majority of trees used in your landscape probably will come from a local nursery since starting trees from seeds is a slow way to get landscape plants.

However, you can get a great deal of satisfaction from the process of planting tree seeds. Growing trees from seeds is also a good way to start native trees that may not be available from nurseries. You may wish to involve children in the project so that someday they can have the satisfaction of saying “I grew that from a seed.”

For more information on tree seed propagation, check you local library for the following books: 1) Seeds of Woody Plants in the U.S. 1974. Forest Services USDA, Washington, D.C. 2) Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, by Michael A. Dirr. 1983. Stipes Publishing Company. 3) The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation, by Michael A. Dirr and Charles W. Heuser, Jr. 1987. Varsity Press, Inc.

Dr. Diane Relf is a horticulture specialist with Virginia Cooperative Extension and is a member of the faculty of Virginia Teach.

Orchard Guide

Now Available

A 1995 Buyers Guide listing the orchards in Rappahannock County is available at the Rappahannock Extension Office on Gay Street or by calling 675-3619.

The guide lists the names and locations of the orchards in wnrcounty where consumers can purchase apples and cider and the pick-your own businesses.