The Culture Of Some Common Prairie Native Fruit Species
Article by - Richard G. St-Pierre, Ph.D.
(This article is a revised version of the article that was originally published in 1992 in the Bulletin of the Heritage Seed Program 5(2): pp 12-19.)
Part 2
General aspects of native fruit culture
Growers of native fruit species are pioneers. Specific information regarding the propagation and culture of native fruit species is often difficult to obtain. This is because such fruit species have not been grown as major fruit crops and consequently have not been the focus of intensive commercial or scientific interest. General recommendations for small fruit culture are useful starting points, as are recommendations for related species of commercial importance. Some knowledge of the natural habitat of the various native fruit species can also be applicable to their culture. The reader is referred to the Bibliography provided at the end of this article for more information concerning fruit culture in general, and for specific details of the culture and propagation of some native fruit species.
Plants, and sometimes specific cultivars of the various native fruit species can often be obtained from nurseries in the northern States and in the prairie provinces. However, the cultivation of native fruit species creates opportunities for the development of new and superior varieties. Such development may simply involve selection and propagation of superior plants (those with more flavorful, larger, or different colored fruit for example), from plants found growing in the wild, or from a large number of seedlings that have been grown in a nursery or orchard. Breeding and hybridization can also result in superior new varieties, but require long term, intensive efforts. Enthusiastic individuals who wish to select their own varieties from the wild face the problem of how to propagate the selected material. Transplanting entire plants is not recommended because it often is unsuccessful and may have adverse effects on the survival of native fruit species in the wild. However, the careful removal and transplanting of a few suckers may be acceptable and successful. Two common methods of propagation that usually are successful are to collect and germinate seed, or to take softwood cuttings for rooting. The use of seed often requires a period of cold stratification in order for germination to occur. Additionally, individual plants with superior qualities seldom reproduce true to type from seed and therefore some method of vegetative propagation (cloning), such as taking softwood cuttings, is necessary. In order for rooting to be successful, softwood cuttings are usually best dipped in a strong rooting powder and then placed in a mist bed where the root zone can be kept warm (about 25oC). The reader is referred to the Bibliography for further details on these and other methods of propagation.
The following is basic information about some of the more common fruit species native to the prairie provinces and which perhaps have the greatest horticultural potential.
Beaked hazelnut
The beaked hazelnut, Corylus cornuta, also called the wild filbert, is a common bushy, spreading shrub of the Birch family. It is found on moist hillsides, and on well-drained sites in aspen, or mixed aspen-spruce forest. Flowering occurs in early to mid-May with separate male and female flowers occurring on the same stem. The flowers often open before the leaves appear. Cross pollination, which is dependent on the wind, is necessary for adequate nut set and development. Fruit are produced in clusters of 1-4 and ripen in late summer or early fall; the nut is enclosed in a long green or brown sheath. The nuts are somewhat difficult to harvest and shell, partly because of the spiny hairs that cover their surface. Hazelnuts are easily grown as hedgerows because of their suckering habit. Propagation is best done using transplanted suckers, or by layering.
Blueberry
A number of Vaccinium spp. are referred to as blueberries, but in the prairie provinces, the blueberry is primarily of the species V. myrtilloides. The blueberry is a low, branched shrubby member of the Heath family and is perhaps the most popular of all the wild fruit species. Blueberries usually grow in dense patches on the forest floor, in moist meadows, and in logged and burned areas, often on sandy soils. They require acidic soils (pH 4.5 - 5.5) and are best pruned every 2-3 years by burning or mowing in late fall. The first flower buds are produced the season after mowing, although flowering and fruit production do not occur until the second season after mowing. Flowering may occur from mid-June through until mid-July with fruit ripening from mid-August through September. The flowers must be cross pollinated in order for fruit to be set and if cultivated, some supplemental pollination by honeybees may be very beneficial. The blueberry can be propagated from leafy softwood cuttings, seed, or by transplanting suckers. However, it may be easier to manage naturally occurring stands.
Buffaloberry
The buffaloberry, Shepherdia argentea, is a small to large thorny shrub, and a member of the Oleaster family. It grows in dense thickets in ravines, aspen bluffs, and on stream banks, most commonly on lighter soils. The buffaloberry is a very cold and drought hardy species that has considerable potential for use as a shelterbelt. In addition, this native fruit species is a nitrogen fixer. Flowering occurs in late April to May; the male and female flowers are on separate plants. Fruit ripen in early to late fall and are best harvested after a hard frost. The fruit of the buffaloberry vary from orange to red in color and are somewhat bitter. They are difficult to pick in quantity; perhaps the easiest method is one used by prairie native peoples who waited until temperatures were below freezing and then sharply struck branches with a stick; the frozen berries readily fell to the ground under these circumstances and could be collected on a sheet or mat. The buffaloberry can be propagated through seed or by transplanting root suckers.
Choke cherry
The choke cherry, Prunus virginiana, is a shrubby member (and sometimes a small tree) of the Rose family, and is a wild cherry. It is a common fruit species that is shade intolerant and is found most often at the edges of aspen bluffs, and in open woods; it prefers rich, moist soils, but may also be found on poorer, drier soils. The choke cherry flowers in late May and early June; cross pollination is beneficial for fruit set. The red to dark purple (sometimes yellow or orange) fruit ripen in August. The fruit tend to be very astringent, although, on occasion, semi-sweet fruit can be found. Despite its name, choke cherry fruit can be processed into a variety of excellent products. The choke cherry can be propagated from seed and transplanted suckers (of which many are produced).
Currant
Ribes spp. are low growing, much branched shrubs belonging to the currant and gooseberry family. Currants are distinguished from gooseberries by the lack of prickles on their stems. They may be found on moderately well to poorly drained sites in shady, moist woods, along stream banks and roadsides, and in meadows and logged areas. Ribes triste (northern red currant), and R. hudsonianum (northern black currant) are two of the more common native currants. These species flower in June. Insect pollination greatly enhances fruit set. The fruit ripen by mid- to late July. Currants may be propagated in a number of ways including layering, taking softwood cuttings, taking 15 cm hardwood cuttings in autumn, and by transplanting offshoots.
High-bush and low-bush cranberry
The high-bush and low-bush cranberries, Viburnum trilobum and V. edule, are not true cranberries, but members of the Honeysuckle family. The high-bush cranberry is a large shrub or small tree, while the low-bush cranberry is a small to medium sized shrub. These fruit species grow in moist woods, river valleys, and aspen groves, and are tolerant of slightly acidic soils, but prefer moist, well-drained soils; they are also shade tolerant. These native fruits flower in late May and June. The high-bush cranberry produces a broad flower cluster with the larger, outer, showy flowers being sterile. The low-bush cranberry produces only a few flowers per cluster, none of which are sterile. The fruit ripen in mid- to late August. The fruit are large, bright red, juicy, contain a single flattened seed and grow in clusters of few to many fruit. Both species were referred to as 'pembina' by the voyageurs. The fruit resemble that of the true cranberry in flavour and are often used as a replacement; their sour flavour is improved by a frost and they are excellent sources of Vitamin C. They are best propagated via softwood cuttings taken in mid- to late June and rooted in sand or perlite under mist, although hardwood cuttings and layering may also be successful.
Lingonberry
The lingonberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. minus, also a member of the Heath family, is a common fruit of the boreal forest. It is closely related to the blueberry, but in character, the fruit is very similar to that of the true bog cranberry, which we use at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Traditionally, northern peoples around the world have made extensive use of the lingonberry. The fruit have been an important part of Northern Eurasian diets for centuries. The lingonberry is considered one of the most important edible, wild fruits in northern Canada by the aboriginal peoples, and many historical references to the lingonberry have been made by European explorers. The lingonberry has many common names. In Norway, Denmark and Germany, it is called tyttebaer; in Sweden, lingon; in Finland, puolukka. The Cree call the lingonberry wi-sa-gu-mina and the Inuit have several names including keepmingyuk, keepmik, and toomalgleet. It is called cowberry in Britain, partridgeberry in Newfoundland, foxberry in Nova Scotia, and rock cranberry, mountain cranberry, dry ground cranberry, or low bush cranberry in other parts of Canada and Alaska. The lingonberry is a creeping, very low shrub that grows most commonly on acidic (pH 3.5 - 4.5), well drained soils under jack pine. The lingonberry flowers in late May or early June. Insect pollination will greatly enhance fruit set. The fruit ripen in mid- to late August and are bright red, juicy, and very flavourful. They are best after the first frost, but even overwintered fruit are quite acceptable. Lingonberries may be propagated through the use of seed, rhizome pieces, transplanting, and softwood cuttings taken in the spring or autumn. The cultivation of lingonberries allows one to obtain much greater yields than can be obtained from harvesting wild plants.
Pin cherry
The pin cherry, Prunus pensylvanica, is another wild cherry, and thus also a member of the Rose family. This native fruit species is widely distributed across Canada. It is a tall shrub or small tree that is intolerant of shade, and grows singly or in groves along rivers, in clearings and burned or logged areas, and on hillsides. The pin cherry can be distinguished from the choke cherry by the structure of its flower cluster; in the pin cherry, 5 - 7 flowers arise from a common point on the branch; in the choke cherry, many flowers are arranged along a central stem that is attached at one point on the branch. The pin cherry flowers in May through to June, and the red, translucent fruit containing a single stone ripen in late August and early September. Pin cherries often do not produce a fruit crop because of their early flowering habit that often results in the loss of the potential crop through late spring frosts or the absence of insect pollination. Pincherries may be propagated from seed.
Rose
Rosa acicularis and R. woodsii, the prickly rose and wood rose, are wild shrubby roses that are common and widespread across the prairies. They may be found growing in aspen bluffs, on hillsides, along riverbanks and roadsides, and in clearings. They prefer well drained, rich soil, and are intolerant of shade. These roses flower in June through to August and the fruit ripen in mid-August through late September. The fruit are referred to as rosehips and are best harvested after the first hard frost. They may be eaten raw, although the seeds should be removed as the hairs can apparently irritate the digestive system. Wild roses may be propagated through seed, softwood or hardwood cuttings, layering, transplanting suckers, or by budding on a suitable rootstock.
Saskatoon
The saskatoon, Amelanchier alnifolia, is closely related to the apple, mountain ash and hawthorn and thus also a member of the Rose family. The saskatoon has long been a treasured wild fruit on the prairies; historically, it was important to the aboriginal peoples, and subsequently to the voyageurs and European settlers. The saskatoon is a small to large shrub that grows on hillsides, in ravines, open woods, along riverbanks, and in aspen bluffs. The saskatoon is a hardy and tolerant fruit species. It is resistant to low temperatures and drought, and grows in a wide range of soil types, but it grows best on well-drained soils. It is only partially shade tolerant. The saskatoon flowers in early to late May and early June and is self-pollinated. Inconsistent fruit crops are often the result of late spring frosts, or loss of immature fruit to brown fruit rot and a variety of insects. The purple fruit (sometimes white or pink) ripen in early to late July. The saskatoon is best propagated through seed, transplanting suckers, or rooted shoot cuttings produced from a mature bush that has been cut back to ground level. A variety of named cultivars are currently available from nurseries and propagation companies; some of the more promising cultivars include 'Thiessen', 'Pembina', 'Northline', and 'Smoky'. It is best not to purchase saskatoon plants that have been grafted onto a rootstock (most likely cotoneaster) because the graft may break down over a period of about 10 years, and a twice yearly pruning of cotoneaster shoots will be necessary.
A final note
The propagation, culture, and preservation of native fruit varieties of one's own selection can be a very rewarding experience. Ultimately, however, a renewed interest in our native fruit species may be critical to their long term preservation. Urban expansion, deforestation and clearing of marginal land for agricultural purposes have contributed to the loss of genetic diversity in many native fruit species. Fortunately, many farms on the prairies harbor varieties of native fruit species that have been selected from local wild germplasm. Prairie rural gardens represent an excellent way of maintaining grassroots interest in the preservation of genetic diversity and patches of natural ecosystems. Cultivating native fruit species as crops will also help relieve the pressures of large scale harvesting from wild populations.
Bibliography
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