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Latin Name: Syringa reticulata ssp. amurensis DESCRIPTION Family: Oleaceae Native Range: Southeast Siberian and Northeast China in the Amur River Region Seed Source: Improved seed strain growing at Indian Head, Saskatchewan.  Height and Spread: 7m x 6m  Overview: The 'Kai-Fu' seed strain originates from trees grown from seeds collected in Northeast China. The parent tree has a multitude of creamy-white fragrant flowers blooming in July. It is a small multi-stemmed tree. The seed strain is named in honour of Xaing Kai-Fu a Chinese colleague who assisted with a 1991 Canadian seed collection expedition to Northeast China. Fruit: Seed ripens in a capsule in late summer. Average number of seeds/packet: 200 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Pre-soak seed for 24 hours then stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 90 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Sow 1.5 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: The 'Kai-Fu' seed strain is adapted to most soils and is hardy to zone 3. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Kai-Fu' Amur tree lilac is best for landscape and street planting The dense growth habit is well suited for providing wind and snow protection. It provides excellent cover and habitat for songbirds and small mammals. Lilac species are rated excellent for pollen availability. The attractive white blooms add fragrance and beauty to plantings.  

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Latin Name: Larix sibirica DESCRIPTION Family: Pinaceae Native Range: Northern Europe and Asia Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan Height and Spread: 20m x 5m (25 years) Overview: The 'Lindquist' seed strain was developed specifically for tree planting in dry cold temperate regions of the Canadian prairies. It is a composite of parent trees selected from mature Siberian larch trees in southern Saskatchewan. It is named in honour of Carl Lindquist, propagation technician at the PFRA Tree Nursery from 1954 to 1984. 'Lindquist' Siberian larch grows on a wide variety of soils but favours loamy soils with pH 5.0 to 7.5. It is shade intolerant, preferring sunny exposure. It is characterized by a narrow upright crown and extreme hardiness (zone 1). Seed: dark brown, 2-4 cm long.  Average viable seeds/packet: 640 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak seeds for 24 hours then stratify in moist sand for 45 days at 5C.  Ideal sowing time: Fall outdoors or March indoors Sowing instructions: Outdoors - Sow 1 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Indoors - sow 3 seeds per cell 0.5 cm deep. Growing conditions: In spring, sow the stratified seeds in small pots filled with peat-based potting mix, covered just barely with 0.5 cm of additional potting mix. Place the containers in a bright location, but without too much direct sunlight, and continue to grow them until summer, when they can be placed outdoors in a shady location to continue growing. After one year the larch seedlings should be large enough to transplant to a permanent location. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Lindquist' Siberian larch is used as specimen trees or in hedges and windbreaks. It also does well in plantations. The dense, deep roots make it useful for soil stabilization. Its open crowns allow for uniform snow distribution adjacent to the windbreak. It has excellent wood quality for flooring and decking.   

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Latin Name: Crataegus arnoldiana DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Native to eastern Canada. Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 5m x 4m (25 years) Overview: Found in open coulees and bottomlands. Arnold Hawthorn is a hardy medium shrub excellent for agroforestry applications. 'Loggerhead' Arnold hawthorn is an improved seed strain developed for cold, dry climates. Named for the loggerhead shrike, a predatory bird that uses the thorns of hawthorn to impale its prey. Fruits: Fruit is 1.5 cm in diameter, turning fleshy and bright red when mature in late August. Average number of seeds/packet: 250 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 90 days at 20°C followed by 180 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in July (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Sow 1 cm deep,30 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Loggerhead grows well on most soils except those that are excessively wet, or dry, or soils affected by high pH or salinity AGROFORESTRY VALUE Arnold hawthorn is used in farmstead and field shelterbelts, Eco-Buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. The vigorous, dense growth makes it useful for shelterbelts and screening. The attractive form, foliage, and flowering is of ornamental value. Many song and game birds including the endangered loggerhead shrike utilize this tree for food and habitat.  

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Latin Name: Acer negundo DESCRIPTION Family: Aceraceae Native Range: Western Canada, Central United States Seed Source: Selected stands in the Qu'Appelle Valley near Katepwa Lake, Saskatchewan Height and Spread: 15m x 5m (25 years) Overview: The 'MacDonald' seed strain was developed for agroforestry planting in the Canadian prairies. It is an excellent long-lived tree species that is fast-growing and ultra-hardy. 'This seed strain was named in honour of Dan MacDonald a long-time tree planting inspector at the Dominion Forest Nursery Station at Indian Head from 1913 to 1949. Fruit: A samara consisting of two oval carpels joined at the base and each terminating in a broad membranous wing. Average number of seeds/packet: 175 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand at 5°C for 45 days Ideal sowing time: Spring (stratified seed) or fall (non-stratified) Sowing instructions: Sow 2 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Best growth on medium textured soils with soil pH 7.0 to 8.0. Fertilization is not required. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'MacDonald' Manitoba maple is used in farm or field shelterbelts where a fast-growing, flood-tolerant, tough tree is needed. The seed strain is easy to grow, does well on most soils, frost and drought-resistant. Its sap can be used to produce maple syrup.  

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Latin Name: Prunus besseyi DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Canada and the Northern United States Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 1.5m x 1.5m Overview: 'Mackintosh' Western Sand Cherry cherry is an excellent choice for agroforestry planting in cold temperate regions. This seed strain was selected because of its consistent production of large yields of black cherries. It is named for Angus Mackintosh a tree inspector at the Dominion Forest Nursery Station in Indian Head from 1904 to 1916, a nature enthusiast and former employee at the PFRA Tree Nursery. Fruits: Black fruit borne in clusters, 12-15mm across. Average number of seeds/packet: 110 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak seeds for 48 hours then stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 90 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Outdoor seedbed - Sow 2 cm deep and 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell 1 cm deep. Growing conditions: Western sand cherry will thrive under just about every condition imaginable, except for heavy shade. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Mackintosh' Western Sandcherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries. Fruit can be astringent but is great for jams, jellies and pies. Extremely winter hardy. Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots too.  

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Latin Name: Prunus virginiana DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Canada and the Northern United States Seed Source: Natural stand growing near Jansen Lake, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 7m x 4m Overview: 'Midnight' Choke cherry is an excellent choice for agroforestry planting in cold temperate regions. This seed strain was selected many years ago by a local farmer because of its consistent production of large yields of black cherries.  Fruits: Black fruit borne in clusters, 8-12 mm across. Average number of seeds/packet: 150 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 30 days at room temperature (20°C) followed by 120 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in July (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Outdoor seedbed - Sow 2 cm deep and 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell 1 cm deep. Growing conditions: Choke cherry will thrive under just about every condition imaginable, except for heavy shade. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Midnight' choke cherry is an excellent seed strain for field and farmstead shelterbelts, intercropping, reclamation, and wildlife habitat plantings. All plants produce fruit that can be used for berry harvest. The fruit is astringent but edible and makes excellent juice, syrup, or jelly.  

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Latin Name: Sorbus aucuparia DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Eurasia Seed Source: Selected trees growing in the town of Indian Head, Saskatchewan.  Height and Spread: 8m x 6m (25 years) Overview: The seed strain was developed for agroforestry planting in the Canadian prairies. It is an excellent long-lived tree species that is fast-growing and hardy. 'This seed strain was named in honour of Archibald Mitchell Assistant Superintendent at the Dominion Forest Nursery Station at Indian Head from 1908 to 1911. Fruits: A fleshy berry-like pome. Average number of seeds/packet: 800 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand at 5°C for 180 days Ideal sowing time: Spring (stratified seed) or fall (non-stratified) Sowing instructions: Sow 1.0 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Best growth on medium-textured soils with soil pH 7.0 to 8.0. Fertilization is not required. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Mitchell' mountain ash is used in wildlife plantings, shelterbelts, or eco-buffers where a fast-growing, tough tree is needed. The seed strain does well on most soils, frost and drought resistant. It provides a good crop of berries for winter birds.

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Latin Name: Picea abies DESCRIPTION Family: Pinaceae Native Range: Native to western Europe to the Ural Mountains Seed Source: Large specimen trees planted in the early 1900s at Indian Head Saskatchewan Height and Spread: 18m x 7m Overview: The 'Norman Ross' seed strain is excellent for tree planting in non-boreal regions. It is characterized by central branches which spread horizontally and smaller drooping branchlets attached to them. There are a number of mature trees of this strain over 100 years old in the town of Indian Head, Saskatchewan. This seed strain was introduced by Norman Ross, Superintendent of the Dominion Forest Nursery Station from 1901 to 1941, from Europe in the early 1900s. It has proven hardy and adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions in the southern prairies.  Seeds: Dark brown seeds oblong at base 4 mm long.  Average number of seeds/packet: 500 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: No stratification required. Water soak 24 hours before sowing. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late May. Sowing instructions: Outdoors - sow 1.0 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Norway spruce grows on a wide variety of soils but favours loamy soils with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0. It is shade tolerant but grows best in a sunny exposure. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Norman Ross' Norway spruce can be used as specimen or shade trees on larger properties or farmyards. Its dense coniferous crown provides excellent habitat for songbirds and thermal cover for mammals. Excellent wood quality for lumber.  

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Latin Name: 'Peterson' Pinus ponderosa DESCRIPTION Family: Pinaceae Native Range: Native to Rocky Mountain region of Canada and United States. Seed Source: Ponderosa pine seed orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 15m x 8m. Overview: Ponderosa pines are large trees native to the Rocky Mountain region of North America. They are drought tolerant and our seeds are well adapted to northern temperate regions. The 'Peterson' seed strain was developed from tree populations originating in northern Nebraska. It is ideally adapted for planting in non-boreal regions. The seed strain is named in honour of Lloyd Peterson Forest Nursery Station entomologist, for his contributions to forest entomology and prairie tree planting. Seeds: Dark brown, winged 6-7 mm long. Average number of seeds/packet: 180 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak in cold running water for 48 hours then stratify for 30 days in moist sand at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Sow soaked seed outdoors in May. Sowing instructions: Outdoors - sow 1.0 cm deep,50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: 'Peterson' ponderosa pine grows on a variety of soil types but does best on coarse-textured soils when available soil moisture is limited. The seed strain favours a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 and is intolerant of shade. Its ability to grow vigorous taproots is one reason for its good growth on dry severe sites and ability to firmly anchor into the soil. Agroforestry Value 'Peterson' ponderosa pine is an excellent choice as a tall tree component in shelterbelts and Ecobuffers, offering year-round protection and relatively rapid growth. It is also suited for wildlife planting (food, nesting, cover).   

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Latin Name: Symphoricarpus occidentalis DESCRIPTION Family: Caprifoliacaea Native Range: Canadian prairies Seed Source: Natural stand near Kutawagan Lake, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 2m x 2m (25 years) Overview: 'Pintail' western snowberry is a small shrub developed for reclamation and waterfowl nesting habitat planting. Fruits: Fruit is a berry-like drupe containing two nutlets. Average number of seeds/packet: 1,200 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Somewhat difficult to germinate, stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 90 days at 20°C followed by 120 days at 5°C. Acid scarification for 30 minutes can substitute for warm stratification Ideal sowing time: Seeds sown in July will germinate the following spring (preferred method). Sow stratified seed in late May Sowing instructions: Outdoors - sow 0.5 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Snowberry grows well on most soils except those that are excessively wet, or dry.  AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Pintail' Snowberry is used for wildlife habitat and Ecobuffer plantings. The continuous flowering makes it attractive to pollinators. Waterfowl use snowberry for nesting habitat.

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Latin Name: Fraxinus pennsylvanica var. subintegerrima DESCRIPTION Family: Oleaceae Native Range: Southern Canada in the Prairie Provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, United States Northern Great Plains. Seed Source: 'Plains' green ash shelterbelt near Indian Head Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 15m x 5m (25 years). Overview: Found in bottomlands and river valleys in the Prairie Provinces. 'Plains' green ash is an excellent species selection for agroforestry applications. 'Plains' green ash is an improved seed strain developed for tree planting in the Canadian prairies and other cold temperature regions. Fruit: A samara consisting of one oval carpel terminating in a broad membranous wing. Average number of seeds/packet: 275 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak dry seeds for 3 days in cold water, then stratify 60 days in moist sand at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Spring (stratified seed) or fall (non-stratified). Sowing instructions: Sow 2.0 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Tremendous adaptability to a wide variety of soils and climates. Agroforestry Value 'Plains' green ash is used for farmstead and field shelterbelts, as a deciduous long-lived tree component of Ecobuffers, and to revegetate surface-mined lands, flood plains, and other areas where a moderately fast-growing, tough tree is needed. Green ash is easy to grow and transplant. It will withstand long periods of spring flooding.  

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