Torreya taxifolia propagation in Spencer, NC
elevation approx. 700 feet

REPORT by Torreya Guardian volunteer in Spencer, NC

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[EDITOR'S NOTE: This volunteer in Spencer, North Carolina, received 10 seeds from Torreya Guardians in autumn 2005, which were donated by Biltmore Estate from their Torreya taxifolia seed harvest in 2005. Following is the volunteer's report:]

JUNE 2011

  • Of the ten Torreya taxifolia seeds [from the Biltmore Estate] harvested in the fall 2005, I had 4 come up — all in 2007. I also bought 5 from a nursery in Georgia that year, out of which 3 have survived and thrived.

    I've not planted any in the "wild" as of yet. But I thought I would share with you something that might be of value. I have observed that the root structure of T. taxifolia is slow growing to the point that it would be very difficult for containerized seedlings to become root-bound. But once my 3 gallon container seedlings have a healthy root system, I began using gibberellic acid a/ka/a "GA3" (500 ppm max) as a foliant spray, on half my stock since 2009. The theory from other conifer enthusiasts was that this would assist in growth and maybe cause premature seed propagation. (Thus, it was essential for the root system to be very well-developed, since I would be asking it to pull alot more duty with the upper portion of the seedlings!) For the most part, the GA3 treated seedlings grew more foliage, and the girth and maturity of the 'trunk' is slightly greater.

    But this morning, I discovered that on one of the purchased seedlings, I have 6 plums.

    And on one of the seed-grown seedlings, I have a single plum. That's on a 4th year seedling, which thrilled me.

    I misted GA3 on all remaining seedlings, which I intend to do on a weekly basis all this summer.

    TAXUS FLORIDANA: I also had a purchased Taxus Floridiana sapling [FLORIDA YEW, also endangered from the same locale in northern Florida] that survived (the other one didn't make it), and it produced 7 seeded arils in 2009. After GA3 centrifugation and cold stratification for a year, I planted the yew seeds in a raised bed last fall. So far, 4 of them have germinated — possibly a 5th, but it is along a border with Prumnopitys andinus, making it difficult to distinguish. I had not used GA3 on the purchased Taxus Floridiana, but I intend to do so the rest of this summer on a weekly basis, to see if it causes more prolific (and frequent) seed production on that plant, also.

    I am attaching some photos.

    I will be making wire cages this afternoon, to place over all plums until they fully ripen and drop in late summer.

    I also intend to use a GA3 centrifugation process for 24 hours prior to placing them in raised beds for the winter, which helps break internal dormancy in somewhat similar taxus, podocarpus, and prumnopitys species. As you might guess, I've set up an amateur laboratory for this purpose.

    P.S. The Torreya taxifolias really appreciate LOTS of SHADE in my limited experience.


    OCTOBER 2011

    I have 7 seeds I'm about to harvest. I've built a germination box to place in the ground, with 1/4" rabbit wire to keep out rodents and squirrels. So far, my seedlings fit the containers, but probably in the Spring, it will be time to set at least three of them out. It's my intention to strike some cuttings from established females in January, and to graft some male branches onto female seedlings, to allow for more efficient seed production.

    The environment onto which I would eventually plant the seedlings is "Piedmont woodland" mostly hardwoods. It is a zone 7 climate, and the forest is semi-wild, having last been cut over in the 50's. Situated on a bluff overlooking the South Yadkin River, there are perhaps two areas I would consider microclimates, which might support zone 8 plantings. Shading would be from Spring through late October, as the forest is primary deciduous. Soil is low pH, mostly sandy clay, so I'll be liming the trees twice per year, to maximize protection from the blight that has decimated the native stands. The contour of the land is rolling hills and bluffs, so pretty much anywhere I choose will be well-drained. Knowing that T. taxifolia prefers mostly shade, I doubt that I would attempt to plant any of them in clearings. I mainly want to go with what is tried and true, as opposed to experimentation, as my goal is to establish a seed source for this beautiful rare conifer.

    Of the 4 seedlings that came from seeds, one female (out of what I believe to be 3 females) bore a single fruit, and based on your observations, I now believe that it was one of the purchased seedlings from Georgia that bore 6 fruits. I believe both other purchased seedlings are likely males. So the seedling that bore a single fruit is from the 2005 stock, and I'd guess the purchased seedlings were rooted in about 2003. I also have a Taxus floridiana that bore 5 seeds a couple years ago, and while it looks healthy, has not produced since then.


       June 2011 photo

    Torreya taxifolia germinated in 2007 from seeds harvested autumn 2005 at Biltmore Estate near Asheville NC

       June 2011 photo

    Torreya taxifolia germinated in 2007 from seeds harvested autumn 2005 at Biltmore Estate near Asheville NC (untreated)

       June 2011 photo

    Torreya taxifolia germinated in 2007 from seeds harvested autumn 2005 at Biltmore Estate near Asheville NC (treated with "GA3")

       June 2011 photo

    Torreya taxifolia germinated in 2007 from seeds harvested autumn 2005 at Biltmore Estate near Asheville NC (treated with "GA3")

       June 2011 photo

    seedling purchased from a Georgia nursery in what year?


    NOVEMBER 2011

    Received 40 seeds from 2011 seed distribution by Torreya Guardians.



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