David the Good just released a video titled, 'They Say Growing Fruit Trees From Seed is a "Bad Idea." They're Wrong! Here's why.' He goes into why trees started from seed can be even better.

That is interesting what you say about grafted mulberries having more vigour - sort of the opposite of what they normally do for top fruit, which are grafted partially to reduce vigour.
I'm finding my mulberries rather slow to get established. I have a feeling that they would prefer a rather warmer summer than I have here. The slugs are rather making a meal of what little growth I get! I'm a bit concerned that the plants are getting smaller rather than bigger...although I'm not sure whether or not they are grafted.

2 sure-fire fixes:
  I. Put a spoonful of cayenne in a balloon and blow it up. Tie a knot and thumb tack it to a fence. Then rub the balloon with some bacon fat.
This works on ANY carnivore, from cats to bears. They take a bite, get a bang and a facefull of red pepper. They won't come back.
 2. There is a little trap that snares coons by the wrist. It doesn't catch any other animal. Coons have a paw that works like a hand, and they have to lift a trigger in the trap.
The downside is there isn't a safe way to release the critter. You have to kill them.

You're probably right that bird droppings could be a problem though, I would think one of the things you would want to avoid was nitrates.
I guess the easiest thing for you is to make sure the water that goes down there is already well filtered.

John Walsh wrote:I'm looking for Shagbark seed from trees like Porter, Grainger, Raudabaugh, Wilmouth. Also Shellbarks like Kreider, Keystone, or the hybrid Mitch Russell. There are a few places where scion wood is available for these guys but I'm having trouble sourcing seed.

I am looking for some scion wood of well-tried Hickory Cultivars, for a private garden project, to complete my huge collection of hardy nut bearing species (all diffent kind of nuts, pine nuts, chestnuts and others):

I am especially looking for:
Shagbark --> "Porter"
Shellbark --> "Kreider" & "Keystone"

Is there anyone, who can provide some twigs during the dormant phase, so that I can arrange the grafting after receiving the plant material?
But the shipping of the scion wood must go to Germany (shipping can be directly to me or over a friendly nursery in Wisconsin).

Maybe, there is someone abroad, who knows any contact where I can get the desired plant material...

thanks for posting the video Russ

John Walsh wrote:You can eat it, but it's insipid and somewhat unpleasant unless it's perfectly ripe.

Hi John,
Thanks, I'll pass on these berries.