We’ve been collecting tree lucerne seedlings as we find them around the farm and assemnling a bit of a nursery. For many reasons, Tree Lucerne is the perfect tree for farms (or small blocks). So far we’re up to about 60 trees in the nursery but I think we’ll need 100’s over the coming years. We’ve got lots of seed too and have had mixed success germinating them - I guess there’s a reason why each tree produces 100’s of 1000’s of seeds each, and yet the world hasn’t yet been taken over by them.

Reasons for planting Tree Lucerne (Tagasaste)

• Wind breaks - very wind tolerant
• Sun shelter - always has foliage
• Fast growing - ideal nurse crop for native trees
• Animal fodder - protein value as high as the best pasture
• Erosion control - very deep taproots
• Soil improvement - fixes nitrogen in the soil
• Pollen for bees - flowers winter/spring
• Firewood - more BTUs per Kg than Manuka

Posted on November 6th, 2008