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VOLUNTEER PLANTER: Jake Wells SITE DESCRIPTION: Seeds were free-planted in 3 distinct sites under deciduous canopy. Two sites are flat and one is a north-facing hill of the Mississippi River bluffs. INITIAL PLANTING: Summer of 2023, Jake Wells received 40 seeds from the 2022 fall harvest in Clinton NC. He planted them in late July of 2023. Because virtually no torreya seeds will germinate after only 1 winter stratification (and some require as many as 3 winter stratifcations), he knew that the first seedlings would emerge only mid-summer 2024. PHOTO LEFT (9 July 2024): This is the first seedling to germinate. The site is approx. 25 miles east of the Mississippi River bluffs and about 4 miles from bluffs along the Edwards River in northwestern Illinois. Overstory species at this site include pin oak, american ash, black locust. The ground is flat and does retain some water after a large rain event. It is part of a group of 3 seeds that were planted roughly 5 feet off a stretch of roadway. Each was planted about 1.5 inches deep and was covered with layers of oak leaves over the winter. |
EXPERIMENT UNDERWAY: Torreya Guardians already know that caging is crucial to prevent browsing by deer. But we do not know how much early herbivory is by rabbits or woodchucks. And even if seeds are planted 4 inches deep, we cannot be sure that squirrels, chipmunks, or tunneling voles won't find them. Chickenwire supported by wooden stakes certainly keeps rabbits, woodchucks, and squirrels away. Jake's experiment will teach us whether early caging is worth the effort.