WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST?
Just planted this little shrub last fall. It’s a goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora) and bearing large amounts of fruit already. I’m a fan of autumn olive–a cousin of goumi–but others consider autumn olive and other Elaeagnus plants (i.e. Russian olive) to be invasive. Goumi apparently has all the benefits of autumn olive but not (yet) considered to be invasive. Its roots fix nitrogen in the soil, can tolerate a wide variety of soil conditions, wildlife and humans love the fruit, and the fruit itself has an abundance of health benefits too. If a plant “wants” to grow and bear abundant fruit with little maintenance, I say let it. I hope this little guy works out. We’ll see how the fruit tastes later this summer when it ripens.
May the Forest Be with You,
Ryan Trapani
Director of Forest Services
Catskill Forest Association