In this Issue...

• Fall Field Day
• Future Meetings
• Baxter Nut Grove update
• Oak Valley in the South Nation
• The Chapter's Technical Literature
• The Chapter's Photo Library
• Seed Stratification
• A Step Forward

The Executive of the Ottawa Chapter of the Society of Ontario Nut Growers is pleased toannounce the Fall Field Day '87 to be held on Saturday October 3, 1987.

1000-1200 hrs. Seed Exchange, a tour of the Baxter Nut Grove, and a talk by Milt Stewart of theMinistry of Natural Resources regarding their programs. To be held at the Workshop a half milebeyond the entrance to the Baxter Conservation Area just south of Kars, Ontario, on RegionalRoad 13, and about 1 mile east of Highway 16.

1200-1300 hrs. Lunch - please bring your own.

1330-1500 hrs. A 2½ hour tour of the G. Howard Ferguson Forest Station, on oldHighway 16 at the junction of Highway 43, just north of Kemptville. Meet just inside the maingate.

For more information, call the Chair Bob Scally in Kanata, 592-1745.

Future Meetings

The Chapter is planning three meetings for this year. Note them on your calendar, and watch forthe details in future issues of the Nuttery.

1. the Fall meeting mentioned above
2. The Winter Meeting. The Ottawa Citizen Building, 1101 Baxter Rd., Ottawa. Wednesday20 January 1988.
3. The Annual General Meeting. Baxter Conservation Area Interpretive Center. Saturday 19March 1988.

Baxter Nut Grove update George Joiner, Gloucester 824-1284

In early spring, Phil Park, Alec Jones and I toured the Baxter Nut Grove and found the area hadwintered quite well, very little damage by vandals, some trees suffered from late frost and at thetime it was thought this might retard the growth. Later on the frost damage proved to be minor,except for a couple of trees where the tops have died back.

During May, two successful field days were held. A good turnout of members was gratifying.The mulch form under trees was raked back, followed by herbicide spraying which was done byCliff Craig. The results of this year's spraying has not been as good as last years. Cliff managedto dump two more loads of tree shavings on the field. Later on another day was spent spreadingthe new and old mulch, at this time Cliff spend some time burning the brushwood from previouscuttings. All this mulch gave a large number of the trees a substantial cover. Phil, Alec and I areconvinced the application of the mulch is beneficial, greatly reduces undesirable growth ofweeds, conserves moisture, the material decomposes and gives the trees some necessary elementsfor their growth.

On August 26, Alec Kathy Jones and I spent the best part of the day weeding, Alec doctoringthose trees that required care, and some perimeter cutting back was done to maintain a neatappearance. Phil has taken numerous photographs depicting various stages of managing andcaring for the Baxter Nut Grove. The plan is to present the group of pictures properly mountedand with the necessary commentary this coming fall.(continued)

Oak Valley in the South Nation Irene Woolford,Winchester 774-3385.

My ground is first rate for Black Walnuts - and weeds like it too. This year they are six feet highand over - and I am allergic to them. I am nursing blisters on my hands after a half hour ofcutting a path in to where the plantation is located. I sure do not need the pines to stop the windfor me - the weeds have done that. The three year old walnut seedlings are ready fortransplanting next spring but there will have to be a BIG program of clearing and spraying beforethis can be done. And where the new seedlings are I do not know, and where the seed went isimpossible to find in the forest of weeds.

This property is owned by the South Nation Conservation Authority, and I am writing to them toask for the help of a work crew. If SONG and the crew could gettogether next spring we mighteventually see some super trees because this field is prime agricultural land. Care for someSpring Training, anyone?(continued)

The Chapter's Technical Literature

Alec Jones, Ottawa, 828-6459, has volunteered to be the next custodian of the Chapter's growingcollection of hundreds of technical articles on nuts and nut tree growing. He is ready to receiveany material members wish to contribute and to arrange for members access to the collection.

The Chapter's Photo Library

Bob Scally, Kanata, 592-1745, has volunteered to be the next custodian of the Chapter's growingcollection of photos related to nuts and nut tree growing. He intends to prepare an index to thecollection. He is also ready to receive any photo material, slides or prints, provideddocumentation of dates, places and persons accompanies the contribution. He will also arrangefor members to view and use the material.

Seed Stratification Bob Scally, Kanata 592-1745.

Many nut seeds require a period of cold stratification before they can germinate. For large seedsthis usually entails burying them at a depth of two feet and covering with insulating mulch. Theeffective temperature is between 33°F and 41°F. The effect is cumulative, and if theyreceive insufficient time the first winter, they will remain dormant until the second or sometimesthird year. I have had good results with walnut and butternut by covering them with moist earthin an insulated plywood box in my garage. The seed are then planted out in the spring, with agermination rate of about 15% in the first year, and the remainder in the second year.

Small seeds can be placed in a sealed jar with moist peat moss and stored in the refrigerator. Ihave had excellent success with Black Cherry seed handled this way.

The stratification time required varies with species. The following guidelines are extracted fromSeeds of Woody Plants in the United States: Black Walnut & Butternut, 90-120 days; BlackCherry, 120 days; Shagbark Hickory, 90-150 days. Oaks are best planted out in the fall after theyfall. White oak, swamp white oak and English oak require no stratification. Bur oak needs 30-60days, and red oak 30-45 days, but this is usually attained on the ground over winter.

A Step Forward

Phil Park notes that the July/Aug issue of Engineering Dimensions, the official publication of theAssociation of Professional Engineers of Ontario, reports that a memorandum of understandinghas been signed between the Ministries of Natural Resources and Citizenship & Culture onthe protection of the natural habitat in Ontario's Carolinian zone. The article briefly describes thisarea, noting that it is unique in Canada in having sweet chestnut, paw-paw, honey locust andKentucky coffee tree as indigenous species. The article is in the Chapter's technical literaturecollection.

Provided by ECSONG. Feel free to copy with a credit.