Become accomplished with these tree seed germination methods - why not collect and germinate your tree seeds for free.

Tree seed germination is not as difficult as many gardeners would have you believe.

Tree seeds may need treating to break dormancy depending on variety. Some tree seed will not germinate in the first season and should be left for a further to see if it will germinate during the second spring after sowing.

Some varieties of trees seed have hard seed coats, and the seed coat should be scarified, this allows the moisture to penetrate the seed coat and soften the seed making it easier to germinate.

There are various ways to scarify tree seed. One method is to use sandpaper or a file to rough up the seed coat, or use a sharp knife to cut a nick in the tree seeds coat. Some tree seed can be softened by placing them in warm water and soaking them for 24 hours.

Germination inhibitors can be found in some tree seeds when they have ripened. You can avoid this by only harvesting mature seed just before it has fully ripened and before the seed is dispersed. You should then sow you trees seeds immediately.

Stratification can be used on tree seeds that respond to either cold or heat. By stratifying your seed this breaks their dormancy by imitating the natural conditions the seed is normally subjected to; this normally consists of a spell of cold weather similar to that experience during the winter.

Stratification is accomplished by placing the seed in a clear plastic bag, ideally filled with moist peat or coir; another popular system is to use composted bark as this is more natural, but it must be composted bark to work properly, you can purchase this from you local gardening shop, before you fill to bag, mix the seed well into the chosen material and seal the bag.

Another method is to chill seed in a refrigerator, you must keep the temperature below 5C, and this method will take from 4 to 16/20 weeks, depending on the species.

Dont forget to shake the bag every 2 weeks, and if you see the seed germinating in the bag you should sow immediately.

Another method is to place seed in a clear plastic bag and keep it in a warm place at 18-24C, this method will take up to 12 weeks, if after this warm period the seed has not started to germinate, you must give them a period of cold treatment at 5c for another 6 weeks, and then sow them.

As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, dig them up and transplant where you want them to grow on. This is best done in late winter after all the hard frost have gone and before the seedlings start to grow again, this way they will grow into the warmer weather as opposed to transplanting them in the autumn and risking your seedlings dying during a wet cold winter.