Elaeagnus (commutata)

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

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Family Scientific Name:	Elaeagnaceae
Family Common Name:	Oleaster Family
Scientific Name:	Elaeagnus commutata Bernh. Ex Rydb.
Common Name:	Silverberry
Species Code:	ELACOM
Ecotype:	Pondera Floodplain Germplasm, Pondera County, Montana; Dupuyer Streambank Germplasm, Pondera County, Montana; and a Bridger PMC source, Wheatland County, Montana.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Bareroot (field grown)
Stock Type:	2+0 bareroot
Time To Grow:	2 Years
Propagule Collection:	Seeds are hand collected at Bridger, MT from early September through October and stored in woven synthetic sacks in a cooler at 34 to 37›XF until processing.
Propagule Processing:	Seeds are readily cleaned in a Dybvig macerator. After maceration, rinse repeatedly in a bucket to float off debris. Further cleaning generally not necessary. Spread wet seed on kraft paper in a warm, dry place for 24 to 48 hours before packaging and storing. Seed stores well for several years in paper envelopes or woven cloth sacks in a cool environment such as a basement.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Fall sowing in the field can be used as a substitute for the cold, moist treatment. Sow approximately 25 seeds per linear foot at a depth of 0.25 to 0.50 inches in rows at least 1 foot apart for the production of 2-0 stock. Under ideal conditions, a suitably sized plant may be produced in one year. Excelsior mat may help germination percentage.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	For bareroot production, 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 about 25 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.
Establishment Phase:	For bareroot production, we fall sow fresh silverberry seeds in October or November. Germination occurs the following spring and usually averages 40 to 50 percent. Early spring sowing of fresh (last year­Ýs) seed should result in good germination the same spring. Under intensive management, 1-0 stock is adequately sized for outplanting the next year, although we prefer to produce and use 2-0 stock.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	We harvest 2-0 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, trimmed to a uniform size, then the roots packed in moist sphagnum or peat moss wrapped in plastic. The plants are stored in a walk-in cooler maintained at 34 to 37›XF and 80+% relative humidity until needed and then shipped in heavy wax coated boxes as priority ground mail early in the week. Ship as described above for containerized seedlings.
Length of Storage:	Fully dormant bareroot plants store well for several weeks at 34 to 37›XF and 80+% relative humidity.
Other Comments:	An easy to grow species from seed and cuttings.

Citation:

Scianna, Joe. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Bareroot (field grown) Elaeagnus commutata Bernh. Ex Rydb. plants 2+0 bareroot; USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/20). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.