| Species: | Sorbus scopulina |
| Common name and alpha code | Cascade mountain ash SOSC2 |
| Propagation Method (Seed, Vegetative) | Seed 129 Seed, cuttings. 216138 |
| Miscellaneous | Rosaceae; rose family |
| TABLE: | SEED |
| Seeds/Lb. | |
| Germ %
|
A test of viability
can be made quickly on excised embryos. Embryos were excised from seeds that had been
soaked in water overnight. After incubation at 68oF for 6 days, viable embryos
either retained their freshly excised appearance or their cotyledons enlarged and became
deep green; nonviable embryos deteriorated or turned pale yellow-green. Viability
determined by these criteria averaged about 20% higher than actual germination of
stratified seed from the same lots. 129 Using pretreated Sorbus seeds, germination tests can be conducted on a variety of substrata at 15-20oC incubation temperatures. 146 Seeds require 60 days or more prechilling for germination. Warm stratification before prechilling does not enhance germination. 216138 |
| Germ Test Amt | |
| Germ Test Cost | |
| Purity % | |
| Purity Test Amt | |
| Purity Test Cost | |
| Germination
Pretreatment Requirement
|
Fruits of mountain
ash species are berrylike pomes. Each cell of the fruit contains 1-2 small brown seeds.
They require 60 days or more of cool-moist stratification at 30-41oF in moist
sand or peat moss. 145 Sorbus seeds require 60 days or more of cold stratification at 33-41oF in moist sand, moss, soil, or other medium. 129 Warm stratification before prechilling does not enhance germination. 146 In ref #139: Moist chill at 33-41oF for 60 days (Harris & Stein 1974); warm stratify at 77oF for 115 days then moist chill at 41oF for 75 days (Babb 1959). Seeds stratified for 90 days did not germinate. 138 |
| Seed Processing Needed e.g. Awns | Extract seeds by a
macerator or a fruit press. Maceration must be done carefully to avoid mechanical damage
to the seeds. Pulp can be floated, screened, or skimmed off. Following drying, the seed
should be fanned to remove debris and flat, empty, or partly filled seeds. If fruit is
pressed, the matted pulp can be broken up, dried, and separated from the seed in a blower,
or the dried pulp and seed may be sown together. Seed should be cleaned for storage. 129 Berries depulped in blender with added water; seed and pulp dried on paper toweling. Dried seed and pulp run through hammermill, 3/8" screen to break apart, then air-screened with #8 screen, moderate air flow. Seeds should be removed from berries as soon as possible because pulp contains germination inhibitors. 138 |
| Storage Requirements | Cleaned seed of
mountain ash species has been stored under cold, dry conditions for 2 –8 years with
little loss of viability. For best results, store in sealed containers at 6-8% moisture
content and temperatures of 34-38oF. Seed may also be stored over winter in
outdoor stratification pits. 129 Store dry in sealed containers at 34-38oF. 139 |
| Storage Length (Years) | |
| Maturity Date | |
| Pollinators | |
| Seed Dispersal Mechanism | Mostly by birds. Fruits may remain on trees until late winter. 129 |
| Breeding: self; Cross; Asexual Reproduction | |
| Disease Problems | |
| Insect Predation | |
| Hand Collection Methods, Problems and Cost/Lb. | Pick or shake fruits
from trees as soon as they are ripe to prevent losses to birds. It may be picked earlier,
as soon as it begins to color; if this is done it should be piled in heaps and allowed to
decompose for about 2 months before seeds are removed. 129 On a weight basis, Sorbus seed yield from fruit is only 1-7%. 146 |
| TABLE: | SEED INCREASE INFO |
| Sow Rate for Seed Increase Plantation, Lb./Acre | |
| 1st Year Yield, Lb./acre | |
| 2nd Year Yield, Lb./acre | |
| Field Life Span: Years | |
| Production Cost/Lb. | |
| Field Distance Requirements | |
| Sow Date | |
| Miscellaneous Increase Info. | |
| TABLE: | VEGETATIVE PROPAGATION |
| Type of Material (Age, Plant Part, Etc.) | Modest amount of cuttings can be obtained without obvious signs of collecting. Cuttings of one-year-old summer wood with "heels" produced a low yield (15%) of rooted plants. 138 |
| Size of Material to Collect | |
| Season of Collection | |
| Collection Method | |
| To Nursery: Storage and Shipping Requirements | |
| Miscellaneous Vegetative Propagation Info. | Rooted cuttings were planted in one-gallon containers with peat/perlite/organic compost-based soil mix. After establishment plants were moved to lathhouse and remained outside over winter. 138 |
| TABLE: | NURSERY PRODUCTION (See also J. H. Stone Nursery Desk Guide, reference # 185) |
| Nursery Stock Type; Container Size | |
| Cost/1,000 | |
| Number of Growing Seasons | |
| Grow Specifications | |
| Miscellaneous
Nursery Production Info.
|
Unstratified
Sorbus seed should be sown in the fall or early winter; sowing may also be done
during late winter or very early spring if there is enough time for post sowing cold
conditioning or the seed has received cold stratification. July and August sowing of
untreated seed for seedling production the following spring may also prove satisfactory,
since some Sorbus seeds benefit from moist, warm conditioning prior to the moist
prechilling supplied by winter weather. Cleaned seeds can be sown in drills; berries or
dried macerated pulp with seeds must be broadcast. When seeds are not removed from berries
before sowing, germination is slower and generally not as satisfactory. A 1/16"
covering is desirable. Seeds may be mixed with sand and fall-sown on the surface or
covered with sand, soil, sawdust, or peat moss and mulched thinly with pine needles, peat
moss, wood chips, or hardwood leaves. Good first-year results have been obtained by fall
and winter sowing of untreated seeds without mulch in board-covered coldframescold frames.
Sowing on snow has also proven satisfactory. Many seeds are likely to germinate in the
second or third season if sown late or without adequate pretreatment. Mountain ash
seedlings are quite hardy and little susceptible to insects or disease, although they can
be nipped by deer. For field planting, 1-1 stock is best, but 2-0 is often suitable. 129 Plant 1/16" deep in fall or early winter or spring. Sun or shade. Medium soil texture with organic matter, deep soil, moist and well drained. Field planting: Drill cleaned seed, many seeds will not germinate until 2nd or 3rd season. 139 |
| TABLE: | HABITAT |
| Plant Association Groups | Range: Alaska to northern California, east to the Dakotas, south to New Mexico; in the Northwest from foothills to near-alpine habitat. 138 Best vigor in open sites, but common with low vigor in closed coniferous stands. 171 |
| Drought Tolerance | |
| Soil: Texture, Chemicals | |
| Soil Depth | |
| Ave. Precip. Needs | |
| Flooding or High Water Tolerance | |
| Soil Stabilization | |
| Palatability and Attractiveness to Animals; Response to Grazing | Mountain ash fruits are an important food for birds and rodents. Twigs furnish browse for deer and moose. 129 |
| Elevation Range | |
| Competitiveness | |
| Plasticity | |
| Root System: Rhizomes, Stolons, etc. | |
| Shade tolerance | |
| TABLE: | CONSERVATION SOWING OR PLANTING ON N.F. SITES |
| Sow Rate for Sowing on National Forest Sites, Lb./Acre | |
| Sowing Method and Date | |
| Planting Density, Spacing | |
| Planting Method and Date | |
| Animal Damage Control in Plantings | |
| Miscellaneous |