bird use trees.. for a variety of reasons beyond food ...

not everything you plant has to be a food source ...

sometimes i think .. in your box.. you are entirely too focused on one aspect ...

in other words... if you like a plant for reasons other than food production... use it ...

ken

Yes, I think you are over-thinking it.

The birds will love them because they are a tree and the more trees you have, the more the birds will like it.

You see fruit on Nyssa sylvatica even when you don't see where the male tree is that pollinates the female.

My main concern is with the roots of the tree. I don't like big trees in pots. Ever. I've got a thing about it. I wonder what its root system is like. Remember, if it's curled inside the pot and is left curled, it will never uncurl. It just keeps on going the way it was always going.

Nyssa sylvatica has only a minimum age of 5-years old to begin sexual reproduction (at highly irregular intervals see chart.) Don't concern yourself... just get them planted and move/remove or replace whatever is necessary for your plans.

Best regards,

Dax

I know they have Thuja occidentallis really wrong-o! My seedlings are 8-years old and have been producing cones for several years.

Dax

Ken - You're right in that I'm concerned about the food, maybe a bit too focused. They don't just eat fruit, seeds, etc., but also insects, which come with plants in general.

tete - The trunks are thin and my understanding is the Nyssa Sylvatica will grow a deep taproot. I believe the problem, if root bound, can be handled when planting and some TLC the first year.

No no worries about black spot on the species in humid climates? I guess it is more of an asthetic thing any way.

There doesn't seem to be much concern about the pollination distance, so that's nice to hear. I understand a female will have atleast some fruit regardless. Just trying to maximize, if it is going to be there, it would be nice to have fruit. Man oh man, those things have some fantastic fall color!

Lucky_ glad I only caught a glance at Thuja occidentallis then! lol

Anyway, stuff happens.

Dax

All concerns about potted stock notwithstanding, you are on the right path to work with species Nyssa rather than cultivars. If cultivars, you would then have to ascertain proper flowering times for male/female to ensure pollination. By working with species-run, no such concerns. Plus, the benefits of genetic diversity. Bravo-fix what you have to in roots and plant away!

+om

Tom - Thanks for the response and glad you mentioned the flowering of cultivars, as I had no idea and will be very helpful. The more you folks share with me the more excited I get and thirst to learn more. There are so many things you learn, that can be applied to horticulture in general. I know to look out for flowering times with things like winterberries, viburnum, but never would've thought about Nyssa species vs. cultivar...very handy!

I truly appreciate everyone's input and have learned so much since joining GW. You folks are truly awesome!

In response to the WDE above, ROLL TIDE!!!

One thing that's been thrown around is that for "whatever reasons" most Nyssa sylvatica in commerce are from the lower regions of their native habitat. I don't know if that's true with the cultivars being sold but... the vast majority (if not all) of the seedling trees being sold are grown from southern origin seeds.

It won't affect you Bama_Joe, but Northern seed should be what is being used to grow seedlings.

Just throwing it out there as I say.

Dax