We recently visited a nature park here in west central Florida. There
was a really neat tree with some strange looking fruit that we found
later appeared to be a type of guanabana tree. The fruit was sort of
like a mango, pulpy and yellow inside (didn't try to eat any of them,
we at a park), sort of symetric egg shaped about 6" long and small
pointed spikes growing in all directions. From one of the fruits on
the ground and broken open, I snagged several of the seeds. We looked
it up and these fruits and trees have a lot of great qualities and
they are tropical so well suited for west central Gulf Coast life.
What we were wondering is what the best way to germinate/grow the
seeds and start some trees of our own? And we nailed it as a
guanabana tree but the strange thing is everything we could find shows
the seeds to be dark brown. These seeds are yellow and look almost
like corn kernels. Anyone familiar with the different variations of
this tree?

We also have some ear tree seeds we would also like to grow. And
we're not all up on the variations of this as the one we had removed
from our front yard had an ear shaped seed pod and I don't recall the
tree having very prominent flowers. Just down the road are some
similar looking trees with bright red flowers but the seed pods look
like gigantic snap pea pods only woody and dark brown, about a foot
long. And then we saw some others that look a lot like that with
yellow flowers and tiny thin seed pods.

Does anyone have a good source for finding what variations of the ear
tree family are? And any value in the seeds pods? Before we had the
big one taken down we collected a whole shopping bag full of seed
pods. Beautiful tree, a shame it happened to take root too close to
the foundation of our home. Hopefully the tiny offspring growing in
the middle of our front yard will be as spectacular. :O)

Thanks,
Scott

There was a really neat tree with some strange looking fruit that we
found later appeared to be a type of guanabana tree. The fruit was
sort of like a mango, pulpy and yellow inside (didn't try to eat any
of them

Maybe one of these two?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annona_squamosa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annona_glabra

(the first one seems like a closer match to your description of the
fruit). Those are the two which seem to be in my field guide to
Florida trees, anyway.

We also have some ear tree seeds we would also like to grow.

Meaning this one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enterolobium_cyclocarpum
http://botany.cs.tamu.edu/FLORA/dcs4...w15039944s.jpg

? If so, it is said to be relatively easy to grow from seed
(according to the first of those pages).

You might need to seek out some reasources in Florida (native plant
society, garden club, etc). It is really a different climate (in
terms of what grows there naturally, or can grow there), even compared
with Georgia or South Carolina. My tree book has pages and pages just
for Florida.

When you find your tree here are some care suggestions.


--
Many tree problems are associated with the following: They are Case
Sensitive.

Troubles in the Rhizosphere
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/RHIZO.html

Unhealthy Trees from the Nursery / Improper Planting
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman/sub1.html
and
Look up "Tree Planting" http://www.treedictionary.com

Improper Mulching - http://home.ccil.org/~treeman/sub3.html
and
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/M/ Look up "Mulch"

Improper Pruning
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/tree_pruning

Improper Fertilization (See A Touch of Chemistry)
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/shigo/CHEM.html

Tree Farming and Related Problems
http://www.treedictionary.com/DICT2003/SOUND/

Sincerely,
John A. Keslick, Jr.
Arborist
http://home.ccil.org/~treeman
and www.treedictionary.com
Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology.
Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us
that we are not the boss.

..

I know its been a very long time since you posted this, by any chance do you have anymore seeds left? If so, would it be possible for me to get some. I grew up eating guanabana and I would love to grow my own tree. Thanks.