Tree Lucerne (Tagasaste)

Small fast growing tree, great for stock fodder, firewood and shelter. Attracts wood pigeons during winter and spring when it’s in flower as well as bees attracted by the flowers too. It’s also nitrogen fixing, drought tolerant and controls erosion with its deep roots. One of the best trees to attract tui and other native birds to your garden. This is a selected tall strain with prolific white flowers and a vigorous bushy habit.

Seed has been sustainably foraged and has not undergone commercial seed cleaning or grading. Seed is overpacked to ensure appropriate viable plants can be achieved due to the naturally low germination capacity. 

The seed has a hard external skin which keeps moisture out and slows germination so some assistance will hasten the process. ‘

First soak seed in hot water (not boiling water, if the water will burn you it will cook the seeds).  Allow the seed to soak in this water for 12 to 24 hours.  Drain off the water and remove all swollen seed.  These are 2 to 3 times the size of unswollen seed and are brown in colour.  Continue the hot water treatment, daily, on un-swollen seed till all have swollen.

Transplant to a larger pot when plants are 5-10cm tall and grow on further until ideally 50-75cm tall before planting 2-3 metres apart.