Don't know about the seed but they are easy to propagate from cuttings. Take a cutting from new growth before it gets to hard(1st of July here in Tennesse) Dip it in water and then dip it in some rooting hormone and stick it in some very damp sand either in buckets or a bed, just don't let it ever dry out. Pull one out in two to three wks. and see want you've got. You can space them about 2" apart but don't leave them there to long or the roots will grow together. John

Hi tenacre, One reason I know Autumn Olive only too well is because it is a pernicious weed in my state, Maryland. Our state tree nursery actively distributed them, the soil conservation districts did the same until they stopped due to loud, screaming environmentalists. I have never seen Russian Olive. I considered for a moment that you might have Elaeagnus commutatus the native Silverberry. I don't think that's what you have. Sure would be helpful to know which state you are posting from. Russian Olive is a tremendous problem in some parts of the country. It is supposed to have "willow" like leaves and yellow flowers. Eradication of Autumn Olive is not gonna be easy but it can be done. The fruits are so plentiful and there is a buildup of dormant seed in the seed bank. Set a goal to eliminate it over a period of years and it can be done.

If you have little autumn olive (not Russian olive) offshoots, runners or rooted babies, I'd like to trade - just little rooted pieces that fit flat in a bubble envelope for inexpensive postage. I have a LOT of plants and seeds to trade that are not on my list. Let me know if you are looking for anything in particular. Will also trade seeds.

"in this whole field of native vrs. plants that are not native, we need more common sense and less ideology." The issue of invasive plants is not based on ideology, but on science. The USDA and state agencies publish lists of prohibited plants and noxious weeds based upon scientific observation of these plants. This is not a crusade against all non-native plants, just those that cause tremendous damage to native habitats, as well as threaten human activities like agriculture or recreation. Some native plant enthusiasts take the issue to the level of ideology - and will not grow anything other than plants that were native to their region prior to European settlement. IMO this is an interesting exercise, but unnecessary - the unspoiled paradise that existed here before the Europeans arrived is LONG gone and our concrete, chemical lawns, and plastic garbage are the furthest thing from the biodiverse natural habitat that once existed in North America. Even if humans were wiped off the continent, it would be millenia before this paradise were restored. I am a native plant enthusiast who grows plenty of non-invasive, non-native plants in the gardens. I grow lots of annuals, most of which are native to tropical climates - they are beautiful and have high wildlife value. I have peonies, Irises, Lilacs, etc. These plants aren't going to start taking over the countryside! However, Autumn Olive and Russian Olive ARE taking over the countryside and displacing native plant species and as a result biodiversity suffers. That is a fact, not an opinion or ideology. I would be very excited 1) just to have a house on Nantucket and 2) research and grow the plants that are native to such an interesting, specialized island habitat!