| Species: | Prunus emarginata |
| Common name and alpha code | bitter cherry PREM |
| Propagation Method (Seed, Vegetative) | Seed 51 |
| Miscellaneous | Rosaceae; rose family Thicket-forming large shrub or small tree 155 Relatively short-lived, abundant seeder, frequently forms dense thickets at higher elevations. 225. |
| TABLE: | SEED |
| Seeds/Lb. | Range 4,120-8,790; average 7,020
cleaned. 25 lbs. seed per 100 lbs. fruit. 129 15.5/gram |
| Germ %
|
4%: Stratified in moist medium at 33-41oF for 90-126 days. Germination test conditions: 75oF for 60 days, 8 hrs light, 16 hrs dark. 129 1985 ASOA germination standards for Prunus species: paper substrate, 18-22oC incubation temperature for 14 days. Use embryo excision or TZ. 146 |
| Germ Test Amt | |
| Germ Test Cost | |
| Purity % | |
| Purity Test Amt | |
| Purity Test Cost | |
| Germination Pretreatment Requirement
|
Prunus seeds have embryo
dormancy and require a period of after-ripening and stratification. Removal of the
endocarp may hasten or increase germination in some species. Seeds have been stratified in
peat, sand-peat mixtures, or activated charcoal. Temperatures range from 36-41oF,
with the duration depending on the species. 145 Prechill 90-126 days. 146 Prunus seeds require a period of after-ripening in the presence of moisture and oxygen to overcome embryo dormancy. Cold stratify seeds for 90-126 days in a sand-peat mixture prior to spring sowing. 97 Natural overwintering in a cold frame under coastal conditions resulted in good germination. 191 |
| Seed Processing Needed e.g. Awns | Little need to separate sound
seeds in most Prunus species since the percentage of sound seed is usually 96-100%.
129 Extract seed by maceration and recover by flotation. 146 Prunus seeds susceptible to damage in maceration process; use low speed in the blender method and wrap blades with electrical tape. 191 |
| Storage Requirements | Excessive drying of Prunus
seed that will be used within a year of collection can be harmful. For storage of one year
or more, it is desirable to reduce the moisture content of seed below the surface-dry
condition. Drying is usually done at room temperature or lower. Normally, storage
temperatures should be 33o-41oF. 129 For prolonged storage, seeds must be air dried and stored in sealed containers at cold temperatures. 146 If seeds are sown immediately they do not need to be dried. Surface dry if stored for weeks or months. For storage of a year or more, the moisture content should be reduced below the surface-dry condition and stored between 1-5oC in sealed containers. 97 |
| Storage Length (Years) | |
| Maturity Date | Fruit matures July-Sept. 97 Ripens between mid-June and Sept 191 |
| Pollinators | Insects 129 |
| Seed Dispersal Mechanism | Birds and mammals 129 |
| Breeding: self; Cross; Asexual Reproduction | |
| Disease Problems | |
| Insect Predation | |
| Hand Collection Methods, Problems
and Cost/Lb.
|
Prunus fruits should be collected
when fully mature. Generally, it is desirable to clean the seeds from the pulp. 145 Collect by hand stripping or by spreading tarps under trees and shaking or beating the fruit off. Clean by maceration or hammer mills with water to float off or screen out the pulp. Hammer mills should have worn or rounded hammers and be run at low speed. Small quantities may be cleaned by soaking and rubbing over a screen or by use of a household food mill. Germination capacity of seed may be severely reduced if seed is allowed to become too warm or ferment too long. 129 Flowers April-June, fruit July-Sept, seed dispersal Aug-Sept. Ripe fruit color is red. Hand strip or spread ground cloths to catch the naturally falling fruits. 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.) |
Softwood cuttings 97 Softwood: take nodal or heel cuttings in mid-summer as the bases of the shoots firm up. Hardwood cuttings not known to be successful. Root cuttings probably successful. 191 |
| Size of Material to Collect | |
| Season of Collection | Spring and early summer 97 |
| Collection Method | |
| To Nursery: Storage and Shipping Requirements | |
| Miscellaneous Vegetative Propagation Info. | Treat softwood cuttings with a hormone-rooting preparation and root with mist and bottom heat. 97 |
| 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 | 1-2 years. Low seedbed densities help assure adequate size the first year. 129 |
| Grow Specifications | |
| Miscellaneous
Nursery Production Info.
|
Untreated Prunus
seeds may be sown in the fall or stratified seed may be sown in the spring. Sow seeds
early enough in the fall to allow seeds to after ripen before the ground freezes. Mulching
and deeper sowing help overcome the effects of late sowing and dry climates. Stratified
seed should be sown as early in spring as possible since high temperatures and drying can
reduce germination. It is best if many of the seeds have cracked stones but the seeds have
not yet begun radicle elongation. If radicle elongation starts when it is too early to
sow, temperature should be reduced to near freezing. 129 If sowing in the fall, sow early enough for seeds to prechill before seedbeds freeze. This can be overcome by mulching the seedbeds. Prunus seedlings reach suitable size for transplanting in 1-2 years. 146 For fall sowing, it is important that Prunus seeds are sown early enough to allow for after-ripening before the ground freezes. Susceptibility to dieback and disease is increased when planted in poorly drained soils. Outplant in 1-2 years. 97 Seeds are very attractive to rodents. Seeds sensitive to drying out during or after stratification period. 191 |
| TABLE: | HABITAT |
| Plant Association Groups
|
Range: From the west coast to the Cascade Range and from British Columbia to southern California, Arizona, and southwestern New Mexico. Moist, open wooded areas, along streams, and in cut over or burned over areas. 97 Prefers moist, sparsely wooded areas along streams, in open woods and as an early colonizer in cutover areas. 191 Prefers open conifer woods. 211. Can also characterisecharacterize rock outcrops in association with Ceanothus velutinus, Salix scouleriana, Carex geyeri, and Poa pratensis. Often constitutes a lower fringe surrounding grassy parks or balds on or near ridgetops. These are associated with south-facing slopes; wind transfer of moisture (snow) and soil drought seem important in maintaining them as topographic climaxes. 219 |
| Drought Tolerance | |
| Soil: Texture, Chemicals | Often on poor dry soils; prefers well-drained and slightly alkaline soils. 191 |
| Soil Depth | |
| Ave. Precip. Needs | Grows best with mean annual ppt of 18" (46 cm) or more. 155 |
| Flooding or High Water Tolerance | |
| Soil Stabilization | |
| Palatability and Attractiveness to Animals; Response to Grazing | Prunus species: Birds and
mammals eat the fruit, rodents eat the seeds, and leaves, twigs, and bark are used by deer
and beaver. Some thicket-forming species provide cover. 129 Provides habitat
for cavity-nesting species of birds, mammals and sometimes bees 211. Deer browse young leaves and trigs. Bears, squirrels, rabbits, small rodents, and birds eat the fruits. 97 Foliage and bark release hydrocyanic acid upon hydrolysis and therefore may have poisonous effects on stock. 191 Prunus species: Birds and mammals eat the fruit, rodents eat the seeds, and leaves, twigs, and bark are used by deer and beaver. Some thicket-forming species provide cover. 129 Provides habitat for cavity-nesting species of birds, mammals and sometimes bees 211 |
| Elevation Range | Sea level to 2400 m 97 |
| Competitiveness | |
| Plasticity | |
| Root System: Rhizomes, Stolons, etc. | No tap root but has a widespread root system that sprouts new growth. Reported to have nitrogen-fixing nodules on roots (Taylor and Taylor 1981). 191 |
| Shade tolerance | Not shade tolerant 191 |
| 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 | A short-lived species, average lifespan 40-60 years. 211. |