Davidia involucrata (Dove Tree)

Greetings, All:

Does anyone have any experience with propagating Dove trees either by seeds
or by cuttings?

I have searched many archives and databases  trying to find info.  Without
success I have tried rooting both ripe and semi-ripe wood and tried to
germinate the seeds with varying methods, even to include soaking in weak
H2SO4.  This beautiful tree was imported directly from China by the
horticulturalists who built our home nearly seventy years ago.  It is an
especially nice form with large "doves".  I am especially anxious to
propagate it for future generations to enjoy.  

It is a member of the or Sour-Gum  family.  The fruits are very hard and
remain on the tree well into the following season.  They have hard pits
that remind me of a peach.  Any experience with this *family* might also be
helpful, as might any experience with germinating seeds that have such hard
and seemingly impermeable coats.  The seeds are hard to crack, even with a
sledge!  No wonder seeds of the Sour-Gum family are preserved in the fossil
record! :-) ;-)

This tree is very slow-growing reaching only about thirty feet in seventy
years.  The sparse new wood hardens very quickly.  

An interesting aside...this tree takes twenty to thirty years to produce
the beautiful flower  clusters that are surrounded by the white "doves"
that are actually bracts.  
Cheers,  Louise

Corvallis, Oregon
p*@peak.org

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