Seed Provenances

Why plant Native Trees of Local Provenance?

Native trees and shrubs support a wider range of plants and animals than introduced species. They maintain local character and conservation value, they thrive in particularly harsh local conditions and are more likely to survive and flourish than most introduced species.

The genetic makeup of local provenance trees and shrubs ensures that they are better adapted to local conditions.

They are better suited to soil conditions and temperature fluctuations, high rainfall and higher wind speeds.

Native and local provenance plants tend to be slightly smaller and harder looking when they arrive but this is normal, it is a result of the genetic makeup of the species.

Definitions (Seed collection terminology)

Local - In close proximity to.

Source - Where something physically comes from.

Origin - The place where the natural distribution of a species was originally located

Provenance - The place where the plants, from which the seed was taken, were growing.

Stratification - The process of breaking the dormancy and preparing the seed for germination and growth.

Cell Grown - The growing of plants in ‘small containers’ as opposed to bare rooted.

Did you know?
Trees growing in the UK can be of UK provenance, but they are NOT necessarily of UK origin!