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Introducing ‘Shiloh Splash’ River BirchPPAF (Betula nigra ‘Shiloh Splash’)-2004 Report

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This is a 2004 report from a NC Specialty Crops Program Project. It is posted for historical reference purposes.

PROJECT LEADER(S): Thomas G. Ranney

LOCATION: Propagation and production research was conducted at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station, Henderson Co. State-wide evaluation trials and on-farm trials were also established.

IMPACT
Initial signs indicate that ‘Shiloh Splash’ PPAF is going to be a successful introduction that will yield North Carolina growers substantial returns. There are currently 10 nurseries in North Carolina trialing/producing ‘Shiloh Splash’ PPAF. More companies will be impacted as plants move into re-wholesale, garden center, and landscape contracting markets. Initial sales should begin in 2005. Efforts are also underway to establish markets in Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Educational programs on the propagation, production, and use of this plant have been presented to over 500 people at diverse programs including the International Plant Propagators Meeting, Green and Grow’n Show, and numerous Extension meetings.

INTRODUCTION

Our native river birch is one of the most popular trees for southern nurseries and landscapes. It is utilized extensively due to its attractive ornamental features, excellent adaptability (tolerance to heat and clay soils), and it is one of the only birch species with resistance to bronze birch borer. There are currently only a few named cultivars of river birch including ‘Summer Cascade’ PPAF a weeping river birch that was marketed through our program with support from the NC Specialty Crops Program and is now being grown world-wide.

‘Shiloh Splash’ PPAF is a new variegated selection of river birch that arose as a sport on a tree at Shiloh Nursery in Harmony, North Carolina. The leaves have a green center with an attractive ivory margin that makes for a striking effect.
Specific objectives:

  1. Develop propagation protocols for stem cuttings.
  2. Establish local landscape evaluations.
  3. Distribute plants nationally for regional landscape evaluations.
  4. Propagate and distribute stock plants to North Carolina propagators/growers.
  5. Establish propagation stock block at the MHCRS for use by NC Nurserymen.
  6. Market through industry meetings.

METHODS

Propagation studies were conducted to optimize and refine production protocols. Terminal, softwood, cuttings were collected on 13 July, 2004. Cuttings were pruned to approximately 5” with the lower leaves removed. The basal 1” of the stems were dipped for 5 sec. in treatment solutions ranging from 0 to 10,000 ppm auxin formulated as either indole butyric acid (IBA) dissolved in 50% isopropyl alcohol or the potassium salt of indole butyric acid (KIBA) dissolved in water. Cuttings were stuck in a medium of 50% peat : 50% perlite and placed under intermittent mist in a shaded (~50%) glass-covered greenhouse. Cuttings were arranged in a completely randomized design with 15 replications. Production demonstrations were developed for tours and field days. A stock block of ‘Shiloh Splash’ PPAF was established to provide North Carolina growers with a source of propagation material. Plants were propagated and distributed to growers. On-farm trials were established with growers across the State.

RESULTS

Propagation. There was no influence of auxin concentration on percent rooting for either IBA or KIBA (Fig. 1A and 1B); cuttings rooted between 70% and 100% regardless of treatment. However, root number was influenced by auxin concentration. Root number followed a cubic trend in response to IBA concentration with the highest root number between 2,000 and 4,000ppm (Fig. 1B). Root number increased in response to KIBA, but there was no significant trend in root number between 2,000 and 10,000 ppm KIBA (Fig. 2B). Other observations indicated that rooting potential declined considerably later in the season.

Demonstrations and Trials. Container and field production demonstrations have been established at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station. These demonstrations were included in tours for nursery growers. Presentations were also made at the North Carolina Green and Grow’n Show, Southern Region International Plant Propagators Meeting, and numerous county extension programs including over 500 people. Plants are on display at the J.C. Raulston Arboretum. On-farm trials have been established with the following growers and most are now producing this plant:

Appalachian Trees, Hollis Wild
P.O. Box 92
Glendale Springs, NC 28629
336-982-2377
jowild@skybest.com

Camellia Forest Nursery, David Parks
9701 Carrie Rd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-968-0504
info@camforest.com

Carolina Native Nursery, Bill Jones
1126 Prices Creek Rd.
Burnsville, NC 28714
828-230-6436
bill@carolinanativenursery.com

Clark’s Liner Farm, Debbie Clark
4156 Blue Creek Lane
Oxford, NC 27565
919-692-1020
clarkslinerfarm@hotmail.com

Fry Nursery, Richard and Pamela Fry
1016 King Rd.
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
828-884-6491
Fry_Nursery@yahoo.com

Hawksridge Farms, Inc., Rick Crowder
P.O. Box 3349
Hickory, NC 28603
828-294-2081
rick@hawksridgefarms.com

Highland Creek Nursery, Brian Upchurch
269 Drake Farm Rd.
Fletcher, NC 28732
828-687-0996
hcnsy@bellsouth.net

Meadowbrook Nursery, Jamie Oxley
2055 Polly Spout Rd.
Marion, NC 28752
828-738-8300
wedu@wnclink.com

Silverfox Nursery, Kelly McCartney
2360 Brannon Rd.
Horseshoe, NC 28742
828-712-0482
kmccartney@peoplepc.com

Tarheel Native Trees, Sam Allen
4339 Peele Rd.
Clayton, NC 27520
919-553-5927
jill.allen@worldnet.att.net

Stock block. A stock block of 50 ‘Shiloh Splash’ PPAF has been established at the Mountain Horticultural Crops Research Station. These plants will be available as a source for propagation material for North Carolina nurseries.

Distribution of Stock Plants. Over 500 plants were propagated and distributed for stock plants and for evaluation. In addition to distributions to NC growers, plants have been sent to institutions (Universities, Arboreta, etc.) around the country for promotion and evaluations.

Promotional materials. Images and slides of ‘Shiloh Splash’ PPAF have been distributed and are available upon request. Posters and flyers have been developed and distributed to producers.

CONCLUSION

Initial results look very promising. There is considerable excitement about this plant. However, the ultimate success of this plant will depend on its performance in nurseries and landscapes around the world over the next few years.

TABLES & PHOTOS

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Reviewed by Jeanine Davis, NC Alternative Crops & Organics Program, Department of Horticultural Science, NC State University on 7/19/2022.