The aim of this article is to give you an introduction
to collecting and growing your own trees from seed. Tree seed can be collected from late summer into autumn. September is
a good time to start. Wait until the seeds start dropping from the trees and then you‘ll know it’s ready.
Where to
Collect
Seed can be collected from a local wooded area or an individual
tree. Keep an eye on the trees over the summer to see which ones are looking likely to produce a good supply. Some years are
better than others!
Types of
seed to collect
For “first timers”, it is suggested
that you collect seed from native broadleaf trees as they are naturally occurring within our environment and support a wider
range of wildlife. Some seeds germinate more easily than others and require a lot less preparation. With this in mind, the
seeds chosen for this article reflect this. Remember to leave some seed for wildlife that often rely upon it as a winter food
source!
Some good
examples of seed for you to collect
Seed from alder cones
Nuts from beech trees
Seed from birch cones
Nuts from hazel (though
germination rates can be low)
Acorns from oak
Seed from Pine cones
Nuts from sweet chestnut
The acorns/nuts can be put in a bucket of water after collection. The ones that
sink are the plumpest and the ones you want to use, any that float should be discarded! The alder, birch and Pine cones can
be put in a paper bag to dry out thoroughly and then after a few days can be shaken or broken up with your fingers to release
the seed.
What to
do next
You will need:
Containers to sow your seed
Some compost
A label to mark your seeds
All of these seeds can be planted
straight away in a suitable container. This could be a small plant pot, old milk carton or yoghurt pot for example. Make sure
the container has holes in the bottom for drainage.
Fill your container ideally with a mixture of peat free compost and coarse sand
(to improve drainage). A pinch of alder, birch or pine seed can be sown on top of the compost and then covered with a thin
layer of coarse sand. Acorns and nuts should be
sown to a depth of approximately one
and half times their length in the compost and coarse sand mixture. Make sure the compost is firmed down.
The pots can left outside over the
autumn and winter. You’ll need to ensure the seeds don’t get eaten by mice, birds or squirrels!
Some small gauge chicken wire over
the tops of the pots is one method. Also guard against harsh frosts, wind and strong sun.
A shady spot against a house wall
is ideal. Write out a label and put in the pot too so you don’t forget what you’ve sown!
How to
care for your young trees
When the seeds have germinated in the spring ensure the compost doesn’t
dry out too much but at the same time don’t allow it to get waterlogged. You can weed round the young seedlings and
thin out any weaker ones where you have a number growing in one pot.
Where to
plant
When the seedlings have grown into small trees, approximately 20 – 40 cm tall, they will be ready for planting out. They need to be planted
in a suitable location that will allow the trees to grow to their full size so choose the location accordingly.
Looking
after your trees when they are planted
Small trees tend to grow well when they are transplanted at a young age. Just
ensure they have a weed free area around the base. Using some form of mulch around the tree will help to suppress weeds and
retains moisture within the soil. Old carpet, grass clippings and bark chips are a number of the options. In some locations,
primarily rural ones, it may be necessary to use tree guards to protect against browsing rabbits
or deer.
What else
to do with your trees!
If you don’t have a suitable
place to plant your trees how about offering them to a local environmental project. Have a look on the events page of your
local newspaper or charity website to find a project locally, but make sure you check with the organizers first before turning
up with your trees!
If you become really good at growing trees from seed, you may want to try your
luck at selling them at a local yard sale or summer fair. The proceeds could go to a local woodland trust or a charity that
supports community tree planting projects.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.For more in-depth reading,
I encourage you to visit the sites below or explore your local library/bookstore to learn more about growing Trees from Seeds.
