Planting Trees From Seed Can Be Inexpensive and Fun
Planting trees from seed can be a fun and inexpensive alternative to buying them from a nursery. In addition, according to Dennis Adams, Nebraska State Forester, there are several advantages to growing trees from seed.
Locally collected seed ensures the trees are hardy and adapted to the area. Planting trees from seed also allows the experience and pleasure of caring and watching a tree grow.
Collecting seeds varies from tree to tree. There generally are two types of trees, conifers or softwoods, such as pines, spruces, firs and junipers, and deciduous or hardwood trees, such as the elms, maples, and oaks. Conifer seed is produced in cones and usually matures in October. Collect cones when they are closed and then extract the seed. Pine cones take two years to mature while spruces, fir, and junipers cones take a year to mature.
Collecting methods vary by species, which means seeds may be collected in the spring or fall. Elms and maples are collected in spring. Nut trees, such as oak, ash, pecan and walnut, are collected in the fall.
Some seeds germinate right away while others must experience dormancy. Some germinate immediately in the fall, while others need to go through a cold stratification period before germination. Cold stratification means the seed needs to go through winter or cold storage before germinating.
The most natural and easiest way to plant a tree is to collect the seed and plant it in the fall. Line the seed out in a garden spot, just like corn and let the seeds germinate. The seedlings can be transplanted to the right spot later. Trees also can be planted in greenhouses.
