Growing tree species resistant to global warming

Tree species resistant to global warming

A wonderful hobby: growing tree species that are resistant to global warming. It’s fun, it calms you down, you have the feeling of “doing something”, of making a small contribution to resilience. One thing is certain: native species are extremely important for supporting biodiversity. Unfortunately, it is also fairly certain that many native species will have a hard time in 30 or 40 years, as we need species that are adapted to the heat.

Whenever there is a bit of time, we indulge in this lovely hobby in the evenings and repot seedlings grown from seed. Many, many tree seedlings have made it, and climate warming-resistant tree species are now growing. Many oak species (including native species such as Quercus petraea, the sessile oak) but also several species from global “hot zones”. Quercus douglasii, for example (the blue oak from California), or Quercus faginea (the Portuguese oak). Tree species that are resistant to global warming will also be of great service to us here, even if they are still unfamiliar.

And a classic “secret weapon”. Castanea sativa, the sweet chestnut. It can cope with extreme heat and drought and has already made itself at home in southern Germany. Available here in our store, for example.

Many plant species are protected with sheep’s wool. This retains moisture for a very long time. Even tree species that are resistant to global warming initially require strong protection. Clay balls and vermiculite (a layered silicate used to loosen the soil and store moisture) are used for this purpose. The joy is particularly great when initially weak seedlings gain a big boost due to a change in the soil. Clay balls and vermiculite, for example, ensure that the soil becomes more permeable to oxygen (here is an interesting article on vermiculite: https://vermiculite.de/anwendungen/vermiculite-pflanzenzucht/gemueseanbau-und-blumenzucht/, coffee powder and goat manure, for example, provide much-needed nutrients (depending on the tree species).

I’m really looking forward to it: In the fall and winter, lots of fresh seeds are coming in, from all over the world. Heat-resistant, hardy, drought-resistant, including many acorn and oak species.