unknown trees/seeds

[simonm]

hey guys, i got 21 seeds out of a seed pod today from one of my trees. as i am new to tree stuff i havn't a clue what it is so if anyone could please identify these trees and seeds that would be much appreciated.

and what do i need to do with them to ensure some will grow?

simon's tree 001.jpg

simon's tree 002.jpg

simon's tree 003.jpg

simon's tree 004.jpg

Do any of you know what this is?

simon,

[Bretts]

Looks like a casurina from here?

[simonm]

from the looks of it on google i would say ur right.

Are they very common and what is the best way to go about preparing them for planting and growing.

[Jamie]

i agree with brett there, casuarina, as for growth from seed i have no idea, why dont you collect that little one you showed if it is not on national park property or some ones property that you dont have permission to?


jamie

[simonm]

i think it may be a bit big, it is over a metre tall i would say. if it was any smaller i would consider it, i will search my property for any smaller ones, i may be in luck, i have a fair few of the trees over 4 metres so i just need to find the small ones on my 5 acres.

simon

[Jamie]

casuarina are known for back budding all over the place after a chop you could take it down to 30cm and have it back bud all over the place

jamie

[Damian Bee]

If it is Casuarina/Allocausuarina then smoke treatment works exceptionally well.
To smoke treat;

1. Sow the seeds as per normal in your seedling tray and cover with correct amount of soil (for those I would say 5mm)
2. Have the following items at hand, a handful of gum leaves, a cardboard box that is large enough 600mm x 600mm x 600mm or bigger is fine, a bowl or ceramic pot for the leaves, a hose or fire extinguisher (just in case), a cup of tea or similar and a lighter or matches.

Set your self up on a concrete pad or similar.
Place the seedling tray down on the concrete and place the bowl of leaves next to it.
Light the leaves and get them to smolder, not a raging fire just lots of smoke.
When you are confident that the pot is stable (no large flames that could set the box alight, cover the entire tray and bowl and take 5 with cup of tea or similar.

The smoke and lack of oxygen should extinguish any flame and the smoke will permeate through the seed trays contents. This wont kill the seeds, the smoke contains a chemical which many species of Australian natives utilise as a trigger to start growth from seed. Clever

Take the seedling tray and place somewhere sheltered and water, you will have more seedlings than you can poke a stick at.
Keep a vigilant watch out for snails and slugs, they must be kept away from the seedlings for they act as slimy lawn mowers.

Good luck.

Ps. Could we see a close up of the leaf structure, Tas also has its fair share of Callitris too so lets not jump to far.

[simonm]

i will try digging one up and growing some from scratch. thanks for al ur help,

i will post some of the leaves when i get some time later, maybe tomorrow. my camera may not be able to do it though.

it flowers with red spiky bits over the long slender leaves that seem sort of scaly. thats about the best description i can give you for now.

[Damian Bee]

Sounds like casuarina, i would think twice about digging at this time of year though

[simonm]

how long will the smoking take? 5 minutes?

[Greth]

Smoking is not really necessary with casuarina, they will germinate quite well without it. Have done it with collected seeds myself. This time of year is great for collecting mature seedpods, look for ones which are opening by themselves (you can put them in a warm place if you want to encourage them to open.)

[simonm]

i have collected 100 for me and 100 for jordy too. i take unopened pods and leave them on my window sill.

[anttal63]

like greth said no smoke necessary. they germinate no prob, spring and autumn being the best times. digging up or repotting is also the best time now.

[Petra]

Why not do an aerial layer, they work very well with casuarina. Go to the natives section and look in the progress section and youll see how aerial layerings are done. Follow the instructions its easy. I did an aerial layer of a casuarina but decided not to follow through as the branches snaped easily every time i touched the tree. When i took off the spagnum moss and wrapping there were roots already developing and that was 4 weeks ago. Good luck!