Description
Latin Name: Elaeagnus angustifolia
DESCRIPTION
Family: Elaeagnaceae
Native Range: Eurasia
Seed Source: Established trees near Rafferty Lake, Saskatchewan.
Height and Spread: 9m x 5m (15 years)
Overview: A fast-growing tree that is a nitrogen fixer. It is extremely hardy and adapted to low-quality, droughty soils. It prefers well-drained soils of medium texture and will tolerate moderately saline soils. Seed can be spread by birds to unwanted locations.
Fruits: A silver coloured dry achene 3 to 6mm long. Fruits remain on shrubs over winter.
Average number of seeds/packet: 150
SEED TREATMENT / SOWING
Stratification: Stratify seeds for 60 days at 5C and 30 days at 20C.
Ideal sowing time: Stratified seed in late May, non-stratified seed in October.
Sowing instructions: Outdoors - 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
Used for reclamation and wildlife habitat plantings on marginal soils.
