Re: Davidia involucrata (Dove Tree)

>Greetings, All:
>
>Does anyone have any experience with propagating Dove trees either by seeds
>or by cuttings?
>

Dear Louise,

My Wyman's Gardening Encyclopedia states:

Do not allow the seed to dry out, but stratify in polyethylene bags with medium of damp sand or peat moss, at greenhouse temperatures for about 5 months. Then when the segments break out, move the bags to a temperature of 40F for 3 months, then sow. Softwood cuttings can also be rooted as well as layered.

>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.

I was afraid of the time factor here. I fell in love with this tree when I first saw it in a manual of trees in the library. I was determined to have it. Despite indications that it might not be hardy here in Zone 5 (SE Wisconsin), I found that Roslyn Nursery carried them and so got one of my own. Fortunately, it has survived, with no winter injury, 2 winters where the temp reached -20F. My own 4 ft specimen is probably no more than 5 years old, so it will perhaps be a contest to see if it blooms before this gardener is pushing up daisies!
Don Martinson
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin (Milwaukee suburb)
USDA Zone 5 (-10 to -20F)
AHS Heat Zone #4, Map at: ( http://www.suite101.com/userfiles/79/hz1024.jpg )

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