2017 ASHS Annual Conference

Carolina laurel cherry (Prunus caroliniana) is native to the southeastern Coastal plain from North Carolina westward to eastern Texas. The species has been planted extensively in the southeast as an ornamental tree or as a hedge. Unfortunately, Carolina laurel cherry naturalizes readily and is now found in a variety of habitats, both natural and disturbed. Flowering occurs in the late winter/early spring before new leaves emerge and fruit ripens in the fall/winter. Fruit is eaten by migratory birds and seed is dispersed. Seedlings readily germinate in the understory of forests and landscapes in the spring. As there are a limited number of cultivars available, selections with improved form and sterility are needed for the landscape trade. In 2008, seed was collected and treated with gamma radiation at rates ranging from 0 to 150 Gy. The LD50 for seedling survival was between 50 Gy to 100 Gy. Three sterile plants were selected in 2012 from the M1 population totaling 63 seedlings. M2 seed was collected in fall of 2012 and 1700 seedlings were grown to flowering size. In 2015, ~160 seedlings which showed no fruit production were planted in the field in Watkinsville, GA for further evaluation.