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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Prunus (virginiana)

Mark E. Majerus
USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center
99 South River Road, Rte. 2, Box 1189
Bridger, Montana 59014-9718
(406) 662-3579
(406) 662-3428 (fax)
mmajerus@mt.nrcs.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mtpmc
Family Scientific Name: Rosaceae
Family Common Name: Rose Family
Scientific Name: Prunus virginiana L.
Common Name: Common chokecherry
Species Code: PRUVIR
Ecotype: Glacier National Park ecotypes 9075856 (Bowman Lake Road), 9058336 (St. Mary Campground), 9054553 (Lake McDonald), and 9057895 (Big Creek Campground).
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Bareroot (field grown)
Stock Type: 2+0 bareroot
Time To Grow: 2 Years
Propagule Processing: The fruit is somewhat perishable and should be stored in ziplock bags under refrigeration. Fruit is readily processed in a DybvigT macerator. Float off debris by rinsing seeds with water in a bucket. Further cleaning is generally not needed.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:		 Rototill the seedbed to break up clods and level the site. Soil moisture needs to be such that rototilling leaves behind a fine, fluffy seedbed. Lightly firm the seedbed with a roller or packer prior to sowing if the soil surface is too soft. Sow 25 to 50 seeds per linear foot to a depth of 0.25 to 0.5 inches. We maintain a 4-ft wide bed (5-ft between beds), and plant 3 to 4 rows of seeds per bed depending on production interval. We cover our seeds with excelsior mat to maintain soil moisture and minimize animal predation. We fall sow fresh chokecherry in October or November. Germination usually occurs the following spring, but additional germination may occur the second spring after sowing.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: We harvest 2-0 or 3-0 bareroot plants as soon as the ground thaws in early spring. A "U" blade mounted to a 3-point system on the back of a tractor is used. Beds are undercut in two directions (lengthwise) prior to using the blade to lift the plants. Bundles of 10 to 25 plants are tied together, the roots trimmed to a uniform length then packed in moist sphagnum or peat moss wrapped in plastic. The plants are stored in a walk-in cooler maintained at 34 to 37øF and 80+% relative humidity until needed and then shipped in heavy wax coated boxes as priority ground mail early in the week.
Length of Storage: Fully dormant bareroot plants store well for several weeks at 34 to 37øF and 80+% relative humidity.
Other Comments: Easy to bareroot and container produce from seeds.

Citation:

Scianna, Joe. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Bareroot (field grown) Prunus virginiana L. plants 2+0 bareroot; USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.