As the bois d'arc is a dioecious tree, the arboretum catalogue is somewhat incomplete. The specimen we currently possess is male, and while males are certainly necessary to perpetuate the survival of the species, we get no fruit from them. The unique green fruit is the most noteworthy feature of this species, something that we would like to show to the Aboretum's guests.
After last winter's ice storm, the arboretum curator discovered a decrepit, sad-looking bois d'arc on a fenceline in Caddo parish, just north of Shreveport. Surrounded by a grove of invasive bamboo, next to an impromptu trash dump, and near an unfriendly pack of local canines, this tree has been lost to the knowledge of mankind for decades. Its presence on a property line is fairly good evidence that it was intentionally planted there. The arboretum curator only recognized the tree as a bois d'arc due to the presence on the ground of a solitary green fruit. Considering the extensive rot and overall poor state of this tree, that may be the last fruit it ever produces.
Two to three months of cold winter temperatures are necessary for the germination of bois d'arc seeds. We definitely had such temperatures this year. After being collected, the fruit was tossed onto the ground outside, where it sat for the duration of January, February, and March. By the end of March, the fruit was black-and-brown, soggy, and infested with a variety of nasty critters. The seeds were painstakingly extracted with a knife and a pair of tweezers, yielding approximately 100, with an estimated half that number being left behind. This was a messy job. The seeds were washed and allowed to dry, then placed in a bowl of rainwater to set for about a week. After this, they were planted five to a container in potting mix. A couple weeks later with temperatures rising, young bois d'arcs are beginning to push up through the potting mix! We are pleased to see that the old tree has produced viable seed. Providence willing, these specimens will become part of the arboretum collection.
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We have a flat of seedlings. About five seeds are sprouting per day.
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Here we can see one larger sprout and another which still has the seed coat attached, still covering the cotyledon.
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The bois d'arc is pictured center. Almost every visible leaf is from poison ivy or another vine.
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Here we can see a few sprouts coming off the trunk, a feeble last attempt to get ahold of some sunlight. The bamboo is winning.
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From this side, we have a better look at the trunk and its branches. The tree was able to grow in this location long enough to develop a thick trunk. Unfortunately, it appears that the bambo has outcompeted it in recent years, but, luckily, we found one of its fruits and have thus far had success in our germination project.
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