Bumper crop of tree seeds beneficial to NC Forest Service seedling program

This autumn, seeds from many different tree species hit the ground in record amounts. And squirrels weren’t the only ones looking for them.

N.C. Forest Service staff from across the state collected the seed used to grow more than 50 types of tree seedlings for the agency’s nursery program. The NCFS sells these native seedlings to landowners at low cost for a variety of purposes, such as reforestation, wetlands mitigation, aesthetic improvement and wildlife habitat creation.

“While trees make some seed almost every year, a crop of this size only occurs about every four or five years,” said James West, head of the NCFS Nursery and Tree Improvement Program. “Things have to be just right when it comes to rain, temperatures and wind events. If one of those parameters is off, the seed yield is lower.”

This fall has proven to be a bumper crop year for most species across the state, West said. The weather conditions for the last two years have been favorable for trees to produce seed such as acorns, drupes and cones. In some species, seed production can take two years to complete.

This year’s heavy seed crop has enabled the nursery staff to process seeds from many species and prepare them for long-term storage. This will ensure that seedlings will be available to North Carolina landowners in future years when tree seed may not be as plentiful.

Landowners interested in planting trees this winter or spring may order their seedlings by calling 1-888-NCTREES or visiting http://nc-forestry.stores.yahoo.net.