Question
I have read that the greybeard tree can be propogated by seed or by cuttings.  Which would be the best way to make little "old men"?  Mine is also bearing fruit, a 1/2" oval, dark blue, olive-shaped fruit on single stems but in a grouping.  Are they edible?  Can I make jelly?  Thanks for your time.  Sharon

Answer
Hi Sharon,
Thanx for your question.  The Grancy Greybeard or Chionanthus virginicus can be propagated by seed or cutting or available commercially in many nurseries in the South and nurseries in Zone 6.

To propagate by seed:

Seed Collection: Collect from July to September when fruit has turned purple. Clean seeds from the pulp and keep in cold moist storage up to two years.

Seed Treatment: Double-stratification: Expose seeds to a period of warm (68 degrees), moist stratification for 2-3 months, during which the radicle will emerge. Follow this treatment with cool (41 degrees), moist stratification for another 2-3 months.

To grow from cuttings:

Many of my references indicate this shrub is difficult to propagate by cuttings.  Take softwood cuttings (green cuttings) about 6 inches long and remove all but the last 2 or 3 leaves.  Dip the cutting in a rooting hormone and stick about an inch deep in warm wet sand or other propagating medium.)  Keep a clear plastic bag around it to keep the humidity up.  Check for rooting in about 8 weeks using a pencil to gently push the sand away from the cutting.  If there is sufficient rooting, gently prick out and plant in separate pots.  All of this should be done indoors in a warm environment under 40-watt shop lights.

Growing by seed is far easier and less-complicated.  As for the fruit?
The tree is in the olive family and some of my sources indicate that the fruit can be pickled like an olive.  I doubt if it would be any good for jelly.  Wildlife love the fruit.  I hope this helps.
Tom