The Orange of the North

I'm talking about Sea Buckthorn, (which I just learned about for the first time 2 days ago)

it's also known as Siberian Pineapple, Sea Berry, Sandthorn and Swallowthorn.

Guy's parents bought us 3 trees- 2 females and a male

(the female trees will berry in about 3 years). We are to plant the male in the middle and females on either side about 4-5 ft apart for optimal pollination and growth.

Sea Buckthorn is a relatively new crop to Canada and since it tolerates anywhere from plus 40 to minus 40 degrees centigrade it's well suited for our climate. It's native to north-western Europe through central Asia as well as northern China and has been used for centuries for its pharmaceutical properties.

"Anecdotal reports indicate sea buckthorn was used in ancient times to: Lower fever, reduce inflammation, counteract toxicity and abscesses, and clean the lungs. Treat colds and coughs.

Treat tumours and growths, especially of the stomach and the oesophagus"

Source

These trees will berry from late July through to October and  provide a tart citrus flavour packed with many essential nurtients! Including a high concentration of Vitamin C, carotenoids, fatty acids and phytochemicals providing antioxidant benefits to boot! Juice from sea buckthorn berries is a common drink in many parts of Asia and Europe. The juice is very high in protein, vitamins C and E, and organic acids. but not only are the berries nutritional, the leaves either fresh or dried, can be steeped to yield a nutritional tea.

There are medicinal benefits as well, using sea buckthorn oil for skin therapy including sun, heat, chemical and radiation burns, eczema and poorly healing wounds. Oil from the sea buckthorn fruit is rich in vitamin E, carotenoids, phytosterols and essential fatty acids, all of which have beneficial medicinal properties for the treatment of internal and topical maladies.

They purchased our little treelings from The Healing Arc's Golden Orchard 

and I am so excited to reap the benefits of these awesome trees (in 3 years!)

What a great gift from the in-laws.