Tree Seed Sowing Information

This is a guide only as it is difficult to accurately state when a tree seed will germinate, do not discard trays too early, they may germinate the following year. NOTE when per-chilling, open the sealed bags to allow air to enter twice weekly. You may notice seed germinating while in the fridge, remove and sow this seed. Seed requiring Pre treatment (stratification) can be either sown in pots and left outside for nature to take its course (ensure pots are covered to prevent mice eating the seeds) or it can be mixed with a small amount of damp vermiculite, damp sand or damp sphagnum moss and sealed in a plastic bag and then placed in the fridge for the stated time.  For the longer stratification requirements of some species it may be practical to sow outdoors where they will be exposed to the normal seasonal temperature fluctuations e.g. those labeled DD.  Seed labelled DD50 should be sown in April if the germination is required the following spring, this would give the seed 20 weeks of warm stratification (summer) followed by 30 weeks cold stratification (winter). After Pre-treatment seed requires sowing, Fine seed sow on compost surface larger seed cover, sow in either pots, trays or plugs/cells. Please note some species may take a couple of years to germinate.

KEY to code found on seed packet label.  Pre-treatment to be applied prior to sowing the seed.

 L         Pour several lots of  hot water (not boiling) over the seeds or rub seed on sandpaper to break down the  seed coating, leave the seeds to soak for 5-10 hours until seed coating has softened and seed swollen slightly if no swelling takes place (seed does not imbibe water) continue soaking or break down outer seed surface and then soak, Continue treatment until 75%+ of  seeds imbibe water. then sow seed at 18° C +

LW     Wisteria seed soak in warm water for 4 hours and then sow at 20° C +

SD  These seeds will benefit from a moist pre chilling treatment. Use the same technique as code PC below

 PC      These seeds are not actually dormant, but will germinate faster if given a moist chilling (or pre-chilling) at 0-2° C for up to 10 weeks.

Pre soak seed for 24-48 hours drain and place in polythene bag or container and tie while still moist place in fridge, keep mixed regularly during cold storage, store for the time indicated on label or minimum 4 weeks. Then sow seed at 18° C +

ND or  O    No pre-treatment required, sow at 18° C +

 MD   These seeds will not germinate at all unless given a lengthy period of chilling. Soak seed in running water for 48 hours, drain and mix with sieved peat and sharp sand or vermiculite. (Mix with equal volume of sieved peat and sharp sand mist sprayed to dampen do not get the medium too wet or seed will rot).  Place in polythene bag tie lightly, store for the number of weeks indicated on the label for that species, e.g. MD14 = 14 weeks chilling, some seed will require warm stratification first this will be indicated on the label

 e.g. MD16; 2 weeks at 16-20° C followed by 14 weeks cold strat (pre chilling).  Tree Seed often has more even germination if kept for 2 weeks at 18-20° C prior to chilling period.

Mix the seed twice a week in the bag to allow fresh air to enter and the seed to breathe.

 DD   These seeds are deeply dormant and require a lengthy period under warm and cold conditions. Natural temperature fluctuations are the most effective i.e. sow outdoors and allow nature to take its course.

Mix with equal volume of sieved peat and sharp sand mist sprayed to dampen do not get the medium too wet or seed will rot. Soak seed in running water for 48 hours, drain and mix with sieved peat and sharp sand.  The conditions can be given artificially by using a warm room and refrigerator. Dry seed often has more even germination if kept for 2 weeks at 18-20° C.    Treat the seed for the number of weeks indicated for the species. Mix the seed twice a week in the bag to allow fresh air to enter and the seed to breathe.

Monkey Puzzle Tree Pre treated Seed when available   (Araucaria araucana) BZ036

Germinated  seeds  Pot up on receipt into 9cm  pots of gritty compost with added pearlite either lay seed on surface & lightly cover root radical,  Or can be inserted sprouted part (root radical) fully into compost leaving 1/3 of seed above compost. Grow on outdoors but protect seedlings during very cold weather ( & from squirrels mice etc) or in greenhouse. Due to the warm climate of these trees growing on in greenhouse/indoors is the preferred method.

Pre-Treated Seeds

Recommended compost 70% moss peat or well rotted garden compost 20% medium grit or pearlite 10% loam and slow release fertiliser,  this compost is suitable for all the tree seeds. The seed has been subject to a cold period of 6 to 18 months and are ready to sow on receipt some seeds will have already have germinated. For the best results from these seeds  place in bottom of refrigerator on receipt until end of March (if receiving them early winter onwards), check seed weekly to see if any have started to germinate, if so, sow the seed in a frost free place. Sprinkle seed over the surface of the compost, keep compost just moist (too much water can rot the seedlings) germination may take several months, please note not all the seed will germinate and it is advisable not to discard the seed for a couple of years. Seed from Acer palmatum may not always come true to the parent tree, many will produce a range of variable seedlings, many may be unique.

Tree seed sowing codes

Abies Concolour White fir SD Abies Fraseri Fraser fir SD Abies Grandis Giant Fir SD Abies Nobilis   (procera)  Noble fir  [Wales Blue Strain] SD Abies Nordmanniana  Nordmann fir SD Abrus praecatorius Crabs eye   Jumbie beads L Acacia baileyana Cootamundra Wattle L Acacia dealbata Silver Wattle  L Acacia Decurrens Early Black Wattle L Acacia podaluriifolia   Queensland Silver Wattle L Acer campestre Field Maple DD34 Acer Cappadocium  Caucasian Maple DD28 Acer Capillipies Red Snake Bark Maple DD28 Acer circinatum Vine Maple DD28 Acer davidii Snakebark Maple  MD12 Acer ginnala Amur Maple DD34 Acer ginnala Flame Flame Maple DD28 Acer griseum Paper-bark Maple DD50 Acer griseum Stratified Paper-bark Maple   Acer Henryi   MD12 Acer Japonicum Full moon maple DD28 Acer Japonicum aconitifolium Fern leaf maple DD28 Acer Macrophyllum Oregon Maple DD28 Acer monspessulanum Montpellier Maple DD28 Acer Negundo Box Elder MD20 Acer Nikoense  Nikko Maple DD50 Acer Palmatum Japanese Maple DD34 Acer Palmatum ssp Palmatum Japanese Maple small leaf form MD20 Acer Palmatum Dissectum Japanese maple MD20 Acer Palmatum Dissectum Viridis Gree fern leaf Maple MD20 Acer Palmatum Elegans   MD20 Acer Palmatum Hessei Heptolobum  Elegans Purpureum MD20 Acer Palmatum Korean Gem   MD20 Acer palmatum osakazuki Japanese Maple MD20 Acer palmatum siegen Japanese red maple MD20 Acer Palmatum Tana   MD20 Acer palmatum atropurpureu Blood Leaf Japanese Maple DD34 Acer platanoides Norway Maple MD12 Acer pseudosieboldianum Korean Maple MD12 Acer pseudoplatanus Great Maple  Sycamore Maple MD12 Acer saccharinum Silver Maple Not Dormant Acer saccharum Sugar Maple MD12/DD24 Acer buergerianum Trident Maple DD34 Acer rubrum Red Maple MD12 Acer Rufinerve Snake Bark maple  MD20 Acer Sieboldianum   MD20 Acer Triflorum Rough Barked Maple DD28 Acer truncatum Shantung maple MD12 Actinidia kolomikta   VAR10 Adansonia digitata Baobab 0 Ailanthus Altissima Tree of Heaven PC3-10 Akebia quinata Chocolate Vine PC10 Akebia trifoliata   PC10 Albizzia julibrissin Silk Tree L Alnus cordata  Italian Alder PC6 Antigonon leptopus Coral vine or Mexican creeper O Aralia Spinosa Hercules Club  Devils Walking Stick Cold Germinater Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Bearberry  Common  DD28 Araucaria araucana  Monkey Puzzle Not Dormant Arbutus Unedo Strawberry Tree PC3-10 Argyreia nervosa Wooly Morning Glory O Asimina triloba pawpaw does not keep MD12-14 Betula Pendula  UK 403 Silver Birch PC10 Betula nigra River Birch PC6 Betula Utilis Himalayan Birch PC6 Betula papyrifera Paper Birch PC6 Brachychiton rupestris Australian Bottle Tree L Camellia japonica Camellia MD12 Caragana Arborescens Siberian Pea Shrub L Carica Papaya Papaya  Pawpaw O Catalpa Bignonoides Indian Bean Tree ND Cedrus Atlantica Atlas Cedar SD Cedrus Deodara Indian Cedar SD Cedrus libani Cedar of Lebanon SD Celtis australis Southern Nettle Tree MD12 Ceratonia  siliqua  Locust /Carob tree L Cercis Canadensis Eastern Redbud L Cercis Siliquastrum Judas Tree L Carpinus betulus Hornbeam Common DD39 Chaenomeles Largenaria Japanese flowering Quince MD18 Chaenomeles Japonica Japanese Quince  Dwarf Quince MD18 Chamaecyparis Lawsonia Lawson Cypress PC Cinnamomum camphora Camphor tree O Cornus alba sibirica Dogwood MD14 Corylus avellana Hazel       MD16 Corylus colurna Turkish Hazel MD16 Cotoneaster horizontalis Rockspray Cottoneaster DD39 Cupressus cashmeriana Kashmir Cypress PC 4-6 Cupressus macrocarpa Monterey Cypress PC4 Cryptomeria japonica Japanese Cedar PC4 Ecremocarpus scaber Chilean Glory Vine 0 Elaeagnus angustifolia Oleaster MD12 Erythrina crista galli Coral Tree O Fagus Sylvatica Beech MD12 Fagus Sylvatica atropurpureum Beech   Ficus benghaldensis Banyan  Indian Fig O Ficus benjamina Weeping Fig O Ficus macrophylla Australian Banyan O Ficus rubiginosa Port Jackson Fig O Fraxinus Excellsior Ash DD34 Fraxinus Ornus Manna Ash DD34 Ginko  Biloba Maidenhair tree Not Dormant Gleditsia Triacanthos Honey Locust L Hamamelis  japonica Japanese Witch Hazel    DD34 Hamamelis  virginiana Common Witch Hazel  DD34 Jasminum nudiflorum Winter Jasmine MD12 Juglans Nigra Black Walnut MD16 Juglans Regia Walnut MD16 Juniperus chinensis Chinese Juniper MD14 Juniperus communis Juniper DD36 Juniperus rigida Needle Juniper MD14 Koelreuteria paniculata Pride of India Scarify + MD14 Laburnum alpinum Scotch Laburnum L Laburnum anagroides Laburnum Common L Larix leptolepis Japanese larch PC4-6 Libocedrus decurrens Incense Cedar PC6 Ligustrum vulgare Privet MD16 Liquidambor styraciflua Sweet Gum PC8 Lycium chinensis Chinese Wolfberry  Chinese Boxthorn  Not Dormant Magnolia Kobus        Japanese Magnolia DD25 Magnolia liliflora Mu-lin DD25 Magnolia soulangiana Saucer Magnolia DD25 Magnolia grandiflora Bull Bay MD12 Magnolia     Magnolia     Malus baccata  Siberian Crab Apple MD16 Metasequoia glyprostroboides Dawn Redwood PC4 Moringa oleifera Horseradish-tree O Morus Alba White Mulberry MD16 Morus nigra Black Mulberry  MD16 Mucuna albertisii Hamburger Bean  Sea Bean L Mucuna deringiana Velvet Bean L Myristica Fagrans Nutmeg O Nothofagus Antarctica Antarctic Beech PC10 Olea europea Olive  DD34 Parthenocissus tricuspidata Boston Ivy MD12 Parthenocissus veitchii Boston Ivy     Autumn purple leaved MD12 Phellodendron amurensis Amur Cork Tree MD12 Picea Abies   SOW DIRECT Picea englemannii Englemann Spruce PC4 Picea glauca White spruce PC4 Picea Omorika Serbian Spruce PC Picea Pungens Glauca Blue Spruce PC Pinus mugo-mughus Mountain Pine PC6 Pinus thunbergii Japanese black pine PC6 Pinus densiflora Japanese red pine PC4 Pinus parviflora Japanese white pine DD36 Pinus Parviflora Brevifolia Japanese white pine DD36 Pinus halepensis  Aleppo pine PC4 Pinus sylvestris Scottish pine PC4 Prunus avium Wild Cherry DD29 Prunus Mahaleb St Lucie Cherry DD29 Prunus Mume Japanese Apricot MD20 Prunus spinosa Sloe DD29 Prunus Serrulata Japanese Flowering Cherry MD20 Pseudotsuga taxifolia Douglas fir PC Punica Granatum Pomegranate MD14 Punica granatum nana Dwarf Pomegranate MD14 Pyrus Communis Common Pear MD16 Quercus Ilex Holm Oak SOW DIRECT Quercus  Robur  UK403 English Oak SOW DIRECT Quercus Rubra Red Oak SOW DIRECT Quercus cerris Turkey Oak SOW DIRECT Robina pseudoacacia False Acacia/Black Locust L Rosa (All) Samanea Samen Scarification reduces stratification time Monkey Pod Rain Tree DD39 O Sambucus racemosa Elder red beried DD39 Sapium sebiferum Chinese Tallow Tree MD10 Sciadopitys verticillata Japanese Umbrella Pine DD36 to PC20 Sequoiadendron giganteum Giant Redwood/Big tree PC9 Sequoia Sempervirens   PC9 Sophora Japonica Japanese Pagoda Tree L Sorbus Aucuparia Mountain Ash Rowan MD16 Spathodea campanulata African Flame Tree O Styrax Japonica Snowbell MD16 Syringa Vulgaris Common Lilac MD16 Taxus Baccata Yew DD70  Tilia Cordata Lime small leaved DD39 Thuja compacta orientalis v pyramidalis Chinese Arbor-vitae PC8 Tsuga Heterophylla Western Hemlock PC Ulmus glabra Wych elm Not Dormant Ulmus parviflora Chinese Elm  Not Dormant Vaccinium myrtillus Bilberry MD12 Wisteria sinensis blue Chinese Wisteria Not Dormant Wisteria floribunda Japanese Wisteria LW Zelkova serrata Japanese Zelkova PC6 Zelkova carpinifolia Caucasian Elm PC6 Zizyphus Jujuba Chinese Date MD12