Orchards

Managed specifically for commercial production, sea buckthorn provides and excellent opportunity in establishing a value-added crop on marginal lands.
These shrubs will produce high yields of tightly clustered berries, and can be productive for up to thirty years or more. Growing the trees organically is highly encouraged.

A 6-10% male/female ratio is recommended throughout the plot. As pollination is achieved strictly by wind, their distribution is important in order to achieve optimum effect.

• Total shrub density per acre is about 700.
• 1-3m between plants in each row
• 2-4m between rows

Sea Buckthorn can grow two to four meters tall over a four-to-five-year period. Flower buds may first appear on three year old wood. Leaves can be picked starting on the second year. In the seventh to eighth year, these shrubs will reach peak production and remain so, with proper pruning, for about thirty years.

Sea buckthorn provides the perfect opportunity to make use of your idle land or to introduce an alternative crop to your orchard. Profits are estimated to be $10,000 per acre (approximately ten times that of apples).

A detailed Fact Sheet has been published by BC Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which details information on Sea buckthorn for orchard application.
They can be contacted at (250) 371-6050 or Fax: (250) 828-4631, 162 Oriole Road, Kamloops, BC, V2C 4N7. Read More PDF document.

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Erosion Control & Land Reclamation

Research has shown that the plant’s vigorous root growth is effective in helping to reduce soil loss by more than 80%. By way of rhizomes, the plant suckers and can quickly spread to adjacent areas.

Riverbanks, lakeshores, steep slopes and other susceptible terrain would benefit from the establishment of Sea Buckthorn. Planted along roadsides and as perimeter hedging, the shrub moderates the effect that wind has on eroding open fields and drifting snow.

Because of Sea Buckthorn’s ability to fix nitrogen and other essential minerals in the soil, it has become a popular choice for land reclamation.

The wide adaptation, fast growth, strong coppicing and suckering habits coupled with efficient nitrogen fixation make Sea buckthorn particularly suitable for planting in degraded soils. Sea buckthorn can control soil erosion and water loss effectively and aid land reclamation.

In Canada, Sea buckthorn has proven to be highly beneficial for enhancement of wildlife habitat, farmstead shelter belts, erosion control, and land reclamation.

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Due to the plant’s ability to hold its bright orange clustered berries throughout the SPRING, Sea Buckthorn can be attractive year-round as a compliment to landscaping or is impressive on its own.

The shrub has also been placed as a natural barrier along walks and boulevards as an aid in the flow of pedestrian traffic.
Because of Sea buckthorn’s thorny nature, it is becoming popular in security-related situations. High density perimeter planting has shown to be a deterrent to trespassing animals and people.

Hedgerows encourage wildlife offering SPRING protection and feed.

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Sea buckthorn oil has proven effective in the treatment of skin conditions including burns, skin ulcers, cancer, acne, dermatitis. Russian cosmonauts use its oil for protection against radiation burns in space.

Current research indicates that not only does it enhance immune activity and disease resistance, but it also destroys harmful free radicals found in our bodies.

As well, extracts from the oil, juice, leaves (24% Protein) and bark are used for treating:

• Coronary Heart Disease
• High Blood Pressure
• Gingivitis
• Eye Diseases
• Tumor Growth

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