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Latin Name: Pinus sylvestris DESCRIPTION Family: Pinaceae Native Range: Native to Northern Europe and Asia. Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 18m x 5m. Overview: The 'Prairie Green' Scots pine is well adapted for agroforestry planting in dry, cold temperate regions. It is characterized by vigotous growth and adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. The seeds strain was developed specifically for tree planting in the prairie environment. Seeds: Dark brown, 2-4 mm long. Average number of seeds/packet: 550 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak seeds for 24 hours, then stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 30 days at 5C. No treatment needed if down in late September (Germination will occur the following spring. 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 1.0 cm deep. Growing conditions: 'Prairie Green' Scots pine grows on a wide variety of soils but favours loamy soils with a pH of 5.0 to 8.0. It is shade tolerant but grows best in a sunny exposure. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Prairie Green' Scots pine is used in field and farmstead shelterbelts. The dense roots make it useful for soil stabilization and erosion control on dry sites. It will tolerate glyphosate drift when exposed in late summer. It provides good cover for birds plus small and large mammals.    

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Latin Name: Shepherdia argentea DESCRIPTION Family: Elaeagnaceae Native Range: Canadian Prairie Provinces, United States Northern Great Plains. Seed Source: Natural stand near Indian Head Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 4m x 2m (10 years). Overview: The 'Ralph Dunlop' seed strain was developed for tree planting in the Canadian prairies. This strain originates from a natural stand of buffaloberry with above average berry size. The strain is named in honour of Ralph Dunlop a tree planting technician at the Indian Head Forest Nursery Station from 1924 to 1961. Buffaloberry is a wonderful plant recognized by many as one of the most nutritional berries in the plant kingdom. Seeds produce a mix of male and female plants. Fruits: A red drupe-like achene 3 to 6mm long. Average number of seeds/packet: 750 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10% moisture) for 90 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late September, Stratified seed in spring Sowing instructions: Outdoors - Sow 1 cm deep and 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell 1 cm deep. Growing conditions: The seed strain requires full sunlight and does not tolerate shade. It is a nitrogen fixer, extremely hardy, and adapted to low-quality, dry soils. Excellent for the farmstead, intercropping, reclamation, Eco-Buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Ralph Dunlop' Buffaloberry is an excellent choice for farmsteads, intercropping, reclamation, and wildlife habitat plantings. This seed strain was bred and developed specifically for temperate agroforestry. Buffaloberry stabilizes eroding soil, contributes nitrogen, and provides wildlife valuable cover, particularly upland game birds. Female plants can be used for fruit production.    Your browser does not support our video

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Latin Name: Viburnum lentago DESCRIPTION Family: Caprifoliaceae Native Range: Southern Canada and the northern United States west to Eastern Saskatchewan. Seed Source: Natural stand growing near Thunderhill, Manitoba. Height and Spread: 4m x 2m (10 years)  Overview: The ‘Reay’ seed strain has proven to be well adapted for tree planting in the Canadian prairies. It is a composite of selected parent trees from natural stands. The seed strain is named in honour of John Reay, a tree planting inspector at the Forest Nursery Station from 1914 to 1924. Fruits: Bluish-black drupe, 8-12 mm long with thin sweet edible flesh.  Average number of seeds/packet: 150 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Pre-soak seed for 24 hours then stratify in moist sand (10 % moisture) for 180 days at 20oC followed by 90 days at 5oC. Ideal sowing time: Non-treated seed in summer (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions:  Outdoor seedbed - Sow 1.5 cm deep and 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 2 seeds per cell 1 cm deep. Growing conditions: Grows in full sunlight and shade. It is extremely hardy and prefers moist soils. It will colonize a site with root suckers. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Reay' nannyberry is an excellent choice for windbreaks, EcoBuffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. This seed strain was developed specifically for agroforestry planting. Nannyberry stabilizes eroding soil and provides wildlife valuable cover. It produces nutritious sweet berries.

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Latin Name: Acer tataricum Family: Aceraceae Native Range: Asia and eastern Europe Seed Source:  Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 5m x 4m (25 years) Overview: Tatarian maple grows best in moist well-drained soil, but tolerates a variety of soils, poor soil fertility, and is pH adaptable. The 'Redwing' tatarian maple seed strain was selected for its tolerance to dry and alkaline soils. Its name reflects the bright red samaras. It tolerates shade but develops a better fall color if grown in full sun. Fruits: Fruit samaras are 1.5-2.5 cm long, held in small panicles, and red to brown in colour. Average number of seeds/packet: 125 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak the seed for 24 hours and then warm stratify in moist sand at 20°C followed by cool stratification at 5°C for 120 days Ideal sowing time: Spring (stratified seed) or fall (non-stratified) Sowing instructions: Outdoors - 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 'Redwing' tatarian maple is used in farm or field shelterbelts where a fast-growing, flood tolerant, tough tree is needed. The main ornamental value of 'Redwing' tatarian maple is its red fall color and fruit. This is an excellent, low-growing tree for small yards. It is sometimes used for hedges or screens.  

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Latin Name: Caragana arborescens DESCRIPTION Family: Leguminosae Native Range: Europe and Asia Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan Height and Spread (25 years): 6m x 3m Overview: An introduced shrub growing to six meters high. The 'Ross' seed strain was selected for its outstanding cold and drought hardiness. First introduced to Canada in the late 1800s, it became the number one species in western Canada planted for soil erosion control. It is a legume and fixes nitrogen. The 'Ross' seed strain is named in honour of Norman MacKenzie Ross who pioneered shelterbelt tree planting in the Canadian Prairies. Caragana is an extremely hardy and vigorous shrub that is well adapted to the prairies. This seed strain was first introduced from Russia by Mennonite settlers to Manitoba in the late 1800s. From then on it has been the widely used for shelterbelt planting across the entire prairie region. Caragana belongs to the legume family and fixes its own nitrogen. This means it will grow equally well in low nutrient and fertile soils. Under prairie conditions and with good care, ‘Ross’ caragana can reach a height of six meters (18 feet) in about 10 years. Caragana is meant to be used in the southern prairies where moisture and soil conditions limit the variety of shrub species that grow well. It should never be planted in or near a forest environment, once established in the forest it can spread quickly and be difficult to control or eradicate. Fruit: Dark brown linear pods 3 to 5 cm long. Average number of seeds/packet: 200 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Soak seeds for 24 hours in water at room temperature. Ideal sowing time: Spring Sowing instructions: Sow 2 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Prior to sowing, soak the seed for about two days in fresh water at room temperature (change water once to ensure freshness). If you have access to a legume inoculant, lightly coat the seed with it prior to sowing. The inoculant will help to activate the nitrogen fixing ability of the caragana sooner. Sow in rows the same as radish or any similar garden seed. An ordinary garden seeder will handle this seed nicely. Sow the seed at a depth of 3/4 to 1 inch, never more than 1 1/2 inches with 12 to 18 seeds to the foot. Fall sowing seed generally gives the best results when sown from October 1 to just before freeze-up. If sown in the spring, get the seed in just as early as possible, and if the soil freezes again after sowing, so much the better. Leave enough space for cultivation between the rows. The seedlings should average from 10 inches to 18 inches the first season, which is a good size for shelterbelt planting. Growing conditions: Best growth on well-drained light and medium-textured soils.  Fertilization is not required.  Will tolerate slightly saline conditions. For establishment of shelterbelts, planting of seedlings will in most cases produce the best results, they can be started from seed; providing the ground is well worked and free of weeds. Crop land can be weedy which will quickly choke out young emerging seedlings before are established. Whether started from seed or seedlings, it is necessary to keep the soil well cultivated on both sides and in the row for three or four years. This can be done quite conveniently with a small cultivator or disc. As the caragana grows, the cultivated strip will need to be widened. Never sow or plant caragana in a low spot where water may lie for even a short time in spring. The plants will likely die under wet conditions. For a caragana hedge plant 2-3 deeds 18 inches (45cm) apart ¾ to 1 inch deep in mid May. AGROFORESTRY VALUE Excellent for farm or field shelterbelts or landscape hedges where a tough hardy plant is needed. 'Ross' caragana is extremely drought tolerant that forms a dense hedge useful as a windbreak for snow and wind management.

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Latin Name: Cornus stolonifera DESCRIPTION Family: Caprifoliaceae Native Range: Native to most regions of Canada and the northern United States. Seed Source: Natural stand near Lake Margaurite, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 3m x 2m (5 years). Overview: 'Stevenson' red-osier dogwood is a medium shrub that is hardy and well adapted to northern temperate growing conditions. The seeds train is named in honour of A.P. Stevenson, renowned horticulturist and a tree planting technician at the Dominion Forest Nursery Station from 1901 to 1922. Fruit: Berry-like drupe 0.5 cm in diameter containing a single seed. Average number of seeds/packet: 200 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand (10% moisture) for 70 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Sow 2.0 cm deep, 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions:  'Stevenson' red-osier dogwood grows on a wide variety of soils but favors moist, loamy soils re and a pH of 5.0 to 8.0. It is shade tolerant but prefers a sunny exposure. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Stevenson' red-osier dogwood is suited for shelterbelts, Eco-Buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. A dense root system and rhizomes make it useful for soil stabilization and erosion control on moist sites including streambanks. It provides good food and cover for birds plus small and large mammals. The berries are edible.  

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Latin Name: Malus baccata DESCRIPTION Family: Rosaceae Native Range: Native to central and eastern Siberia. Seed Source: Seed production orchard near Indian Head Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 6m x 5m (5 years). Overview: The 'Waxwing' seed strain was developed for prairie tree planting. It is a composite of selected Siberian crabapple trees. This seed strain is ideally suited for agroforestry planting. It is fast-growing and provides excellent food and cover for wildlife. Fruit: Multi-seeded apples are either red or yellow and vary in size from 1-2 cm. Average number of seeds/packet: 800 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Water soak for 72 hours then stratify in moist sand (10 percent moisture) for 10 days at 5°C. Ideal sowing time: Non-pretreated seed outdoors in late September (will germinate the following spring) or stratified seed in spring. Sowing instructions: Sow 1.0 cm deep,50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse - sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: ‘Waxwing’ Siberian crab favors medium to heavy soils that are somewhat poorly to well-drained with a pH of 5.5 to 7.0. Full sun is preferred for best performance, but they will tolerate light shade. AGROFORESTRY VALUE 'Waxwing' Siberian crab is used in shelterbelts, Eco-Buffers, and wildlife habitat plantings. It provides good food and cover for birds. The fruit is eaten by birds during winter, they attract large flocks of cedar waxwings.  

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Latin Name: Elaeagnus commutata DESCRIPTION Family: Elaeagnaceae Native Range: Canadian prairies Seed Source: Natural stand near Kutawagan Lake, Saskatchewan. Height and Spread: 3m x 1m (10 years) Overview: A colonizing plant that is a nitrogen fixer that spreads by underground stems. It is extremely hardy and adapted to low-quality, droughty soils. Seeds produce a mixture of male and female plants. It prefers well-drained soils of medium texture Fruits: A silver coloured dry achene 3 to 6mm long. Fruits remain on shrubs over winter. SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify seeds for 60 days at 5C. Ideal sowing time: Stratified seed in late May, non-stratified seed in October Sowing instructions: Sow 2 cm deep. Outdoor seedbed- sow 50 seeds/meter; Greenhouse- sow 3 seeds per cell. Growing conditions: Does well on a variety of soils, requires full sunlight, does not tolerate shade. Agroforestry Value Excellent for soil stabilization, reclamation, and wildlife habitat plantings.  

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Latin Name: Acer tegmentosum DESCRIPTION Family: Aceraceae Native Range: Northeast China Seed Source: Selected trees from a seed collection expedition to Northeast China Height and Spread: 10m x 5m (25 years) Overview: The 'Yusen' seed strain was collected during a seed expedition to the Maoershan region of Heilongjiang Province of China in 1991. The selected trees were growing in a mountainous region near the North Korean border with China. This is a hardy seed strain, typically multi-stemmed, and reaches a mature height of 8-10 meters. The distinctive characteristic which sets them apart from other maples is their smooth, bright-green bark with blue-green to white stripes of varying widths forming a pattern reminiscent of a snake’s skin. The strain is named after the Chinese professor,  Zhang Yusen, who guided the 1991 seed collection expedition to Northeast China. Fruits: A samara consisting of two oval carpels lined at the base and each terminating in a broad membranous wing. Average number of seeds/packet: 100 SEED TREATMENT / SOWING Stratification: Stratify in moist sand at 5°C for 120 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 'Yusen' Manchurian snakebark maple is best used in landscape settings, it is not well-suited for shelterbelts or exposed sites.   

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