Appalachian Trail Caledonia PA Collections

[Eckhoffw]

I wouldn’t sweat these.
Go back early next spring and bring back something with at least a 2” trunk.
The trees shown could be purchased at most big box stores.

 

[PerryB]

I want want to be overly negative, but you almost certainly doomed this plants the moment you collected them. It is a terrible time of year to do this.

And a particularly bad time to collect hemlock.

 

[Orion_metalhead]

So much to say.

1. Eastern White Pine. Poor collection practice by not maintaining much soil around the tree and digging a larger amount of soil for initial collection this time of year. With the lack of protection on the roots, this tree will probably die during a mid summer collection. I have successfully collected in October/November and expect a late winter/eay spring collection would work. I dont think it will survive.

2. Eastern Hemlock. Same collection notes as above. Prefer shade and humidity. Great potential in the trunk but tree doesnt seem to be in a state that will survive through this collection. Id get it in shade, try to maintain humidity asap.

 

[TCEvan]

Probably dead/dying, but don't toss them until next summer when you know for sure they're dead. I had a spruce my son dug up in July last year lose every needle only to bud out very hard this spring.

You should be able to find more white pine very easily this fall or next spring in the same location. It's a climax tree and from my experience if you find some seedlings in a forest you will absolutely find many, many more if you look.

For more hemlock, be on the lookout for the big, old trees. In my experience the seedlings stay relatively close to the big trees, and can be in slightly isolated pockets. Near me, hemlock often grows in beech/maple forest, so if you're struggling to find more hemlock, try searching for beech/maple communities, which are much easier to find than hemlock itself.