Arbutus menziesii |
Origin: North American Pacific Coast
Zone Range: 7-9
Preferred Situation: Full/semi sun; very well draining poor soil. Does not tolerate stagnant air.
Harvest Date: Sunday 14 October, 2007
Description:
One of the most beautiful native trees of the North American Pacific Coast. A broadleaf evergreen tree with white flowers in the spring and small orange fruit in the autumn. The rich red-ochre coloured bark peels off in sheets during the growing season revealing the smooth new tan coloured bark in summer. Grows to 12 meters tall with 6 meter spread with graceful twists and artful curves (never straight).
Notes:
Bulk seed available please enquire. The trees from which these seeds were harvested are growing on an embankment just meters away from the Deep Bay seashore. Gets full sun, and wind. Trees provide very large berries much enjoyed by the local bird life. Seedlings can be found in the surrounding area. Maintaince free. Nectar makes a very nice honey. Never use chemical fertilizers only mineral ones. Very hard wood. Fast growing in optimal conditions which includes earlier flowering.
Cultivation:
Soak seed in warm water for 24 hours (a little ethanol helps remove germination inhibitors). Best if sown in containers. Sow thinly. Prepare container by filling with well draining gritty medium (bird grit, peat and mineral fertilizer as greensand, granite dust, rock phosphate, and the like). Use sharp sand as the sowing surface. Press seed into sand. Do not cover. Keep moist, shaded, and cool. Cold stratify 40 days. Seedlings naturally grow in the understory so mimic those conditions until the first few years. Large seedlings resent having their roots disturbed during transpanting so use minimal handling. Seat in their final growing position where their roots will not be disturbed.
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