Janisse, Thanks for sharing this information! We try to plant natives on our farm in SE Georgia and would like to try planting these. We have a ravine with slopes and afternoon shade - seems to fit the habitat definition - I'll have to figure out the best spot... Anyway, if you could please share the address of the people who have the little trees, I'd appreciate it! Laura
You would love Lilly Anderson-Messec over on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lilliumbyrd/) as she works for FNPS and does a lot of torreya surveys.
Some day I will see one of these trees! I'm glad you get to enjoy a little grove for yourself. I do know that assisted migration, esp of T. taxifolia, is considered contentious, though. At some point we have to consider weigh all of the options, species loss or conservation, even if it is imperfect.
She is an absolute darling! I think age helps when raising a baby. I definitely don't have the same strength and all-day-long energy, but I'm a better, kinder, more attentive person.
I know Torreya from long ago visits to Torreya State Park. How excellent to be stewards of your trees now. Restoring and enhancing our landscapes - well, that's a good thing.
Thank you for the Torreya story. I have driven right by them several times and never realized what they were. We are so immersed in wonders it is impossible to take them all in! I can't believe I had not seen the Old Growth Forest Network site either. Thank you for that gift as well. I have already begun to dive deep into it. That will fill up the bucket list! Little Fawn has such beautiful doe eyes! What a gift that every day you get to enjoy the miracle that is her...as well as the miraculous landscape all about you. I am so glad you can all explore that together.
I have surveyed steepheads near there and have worked with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (oyster restoration). I do look forward to returning to the magical hills of the panhandle.
Years ago, a friend, who is now deceased, gifted me some Torreya seeds from his property which is about 1 1/2 hours south of Raleigh. I planted them and was successful in growing them in pots over several years. (A habit I inherited from my dad, that I'm trying to overcome without much success) I'm surprised they are doing so well. A couple of years ago they were looking pale and I thought the potting mix they were in, might be deficient in magnesium, so I gave them a dose of Epsom salt, added some fresh potting mix and it worked. So far there has been no trace of the disease that is impacting them in their native range along the Apalachicola River. I'm in the process of finding a permanent home in our yard. I'll think of A.J. when they're in their new home. The most likely location is close to our fevertree which is on the decline.
My latest project is growing native azaleas, mountain laurel, and rhododendron from seed. I have hundreds of offspring from last years sowing. At the earliest, I don't anticipate they'll bloom until the spring of 2027 or 2028. They can be challenging, but not impossible. I have to move their pots
for an ideal balance between sun and shade.
On the topic of climate migration, I recently learn that central North Carolina where I live, has been shifted from plant hardiness zone 7b to zone 8a. I am not surprised. My neighbor has fig trees that are a foot in diameter. I grow kiwis (not the hardy kind) and they have survived here for more than 30 years. All it would take, would be one night in the single digits to freeze both the figs and kiwi to the ground.
Wonderful! I'd like to get my hands on some Torreya seedlings. I think they might be happy up here. Thank you for joining the effort to keep this species alive and well.
Tree assisted migration has such possibilities - and yet I always wonder how they will do without the soil and other beings with whom they have evolved. I find it challenging to listen deeply enough to understand their longings. Glad to hear that you have some thriving babes of the woods. Long may they live!
And, of course, so glad to see that photo of your beautiful daughter. She is a charmer!
To be honest, Leah, that's why I planted the trees in my driveway. I just don't want to introduce things to the native systems. And yes, the entire concept is problematic.
Janisse, Thanks for sharing this information! We try to plant natives on our farm in SE Georgia and would like to try planting these. We have a ravine with slopes and afternoon shade - seems to fit the habitat definition - I'll have to figure out the best spot... Anyway, if you could please share the address of the people who have the little trees, I'd appreciate it! Laura
You would love Lilly Anderson-Messec over on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lilliumbyrd/) as she works for FNPS and does a lot of torreya surveys.
Some day I will see one of these trees! I'm glad you get to enjoy a little grove for yourself. I do know that assisted migration, esp of T. taxifolia, is considered contentious, though. At some point we have to consider weigh all of the options, species loss or conservation, even if it is imperfect.
Fascinating. All the babies.
I’m happy about the trees and Little Fawn is cuter than ever ❤️
She is an absolute darling! I think age helps when raising a baby. I definitely don't have the same strength and all-day-long energy, but I'm a better, kinder, more attentive person.
love this story. It's nice to memorialize these kind people with special trees lining your driveway.
I know Torreya from long ago visits to Torreya State Park. How excellent to be stewards of your trees now. Restoring and enhancing our landscapes - well, that's a good thing.
I was realizing I want to go back & visit Torreya now. Hurricane Michael really made a mess there, but it's recovering.
Thank you for the Torreya story. I have driven right by them several times and never realized what they were. We are so immersed in wonders it is impossible to take them all in! I can't believe I had not seen the Old Growth Forest Network site either. Thank you for that gift as well. I have already begun to dive deep into it. That will fill up the bucket list! Little Fawn has such beautiful doe eyes! What a gift that every day you get to enjoy the miracle that is her...as well as the miraculous landscape all about you. I am so glad you can all explore that together.
Mark, I've never seen Angus's forest in Chattahoochee. I plan to go as well.
I have surveyed steepheads near there and have worked with the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (oyster restoration). I do look forward to returning to the magical hills of the panhandle.
Years ago, a friend, who is now deceased, gifted me some Torreya seeds from his property which is about 1 1/2 hours south of Raleigh. I planted them and was successful in growing them in pots over several years. (A habit I inherited from my dad, that I'm trying to overcome without much success) I'm surprised they are doing so well. A couple of years ago they were looking pale and I thought the potting mix they were in, might be deficient in magnesium, so I gave them a dose of Epsom salt, added some fresh potting mix and it worked. So far there has been no trace of the disease that is impacting them in their native range along the Apalachicola River. I'm in the process of finding a permanent home in our yard. I'll think of A.J. when they're in their new home. The most likely location is close to our fevertree which is on the decline.
My latest project is growing native azaleas, mountain laurel, and rhododendron from seed. I have hundreds of offspring from last years sowing. At the earliest, I don't anticipate they'll bloom until the spring of 2027 or 2028. They can be challenging, but not impossible. I have to move their pots
for an ideal balance between sun and shade.
On the topic of climate migration, I recently learn that central North Carolina where I live, has been shifted from plant hardiness zone 7b to zone 8a. I am not surprised. My neighbor has fig trees that are a foot in diameter. I grow kiwis (not the hardy kind) and they have survived here for more than 30 years. All it would take, would be one night in the single digits to freeze both the figs and kiwi to the ground.
You are one of the best plants-people I know. Thank you for all the plants you've given me.
Wonderful! I'd like to get my hands on some Torreya seedlings. I think they might be happy up here. Thank you for joining the effort to keep this species alive and well.
I've emailed their contact to you. I think your land would be perfect for this.
your green thumb works magic on all manner of 'things' !
Tree assisted migration has such possibilities - and yet I always wonder how they will do without the soil and other beings with whom they have evolved. I find it challenging to listen deeply enough to understand their longings. Glad to hear that you have some thriving babes of the woods. Long may they live!
And, of course, so glad to see that photo of your beautiful daughter. She is a charmer!
To be honest, Leah, that's why I planted the trees in my driveway. I just don't want to introduce things to the native systems. And yes, the entire concept is problematic.
Listen as well as we can, try small experiments, observe? That’s the best I’ve got for now.
I love this! May those remaining Torreyas flourish, along with Fawn and you! Blessings and a hug, Susan