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UVI-AES Agroforestry native tree research focuses on developing protocols for growing
native trees, primarily from seeds. First we collect phenology data, such as when
trees produce new leaves, flowers and fruits, for each species. When trees bear fruit,
we collect them from many individual plants, bring them to the lab clean, weigh and
measure them. Seeds are extracted, counted weighed and prepared for experiments.
Native Tree Species: Click here to learn more about which tree species are native to the Virgin Islands and which are introduced. Pregerminative treatments are used to reduce germination time, increase germination
rates or make groups of seeds germinate uniformly. Treatments such as soaking the
seeds in water or manually scarifying the seed coats are applied to the seeds and
the resulting germination rates and times are recorded. Growth rates and other data
are collected as the seedlings grow. We regularly plant seedlings in demonstration
plots and in reforestation projects. In these plots we obtain additional data on growth
rates, time to first flowering and fruiting, pest incidences and more. For additional
information on restoration, reforestation and forest enrichment projects in the Virgin
Islands, click here
Peeled Seeds of Mamey Apple (Mammea americana) in Germination Tray Flower of Tropical Thorn Lilly (Catesbaea melanocarpa) Fruit from Tropical Thorn Lily (Catesbaea melanocarpa) |