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Growing acorns and hazels from seed

WaysideWayside Posts: 845
in Tools and techniques
A couple of weeks back I collected dozens and dozens of seeds:
  • Acorns
  • Hazels
  • Plane
  • Beech
Any tips for growing?  The squirrels do so well at propagating, or rather I only see the successes!  Should they be planted immediately?  I'm quite keen to grow loads of little beeches for a later hedgerow.  And for the fun of it.  
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Posts

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Squirrels do seem to do rather well,  but of course we don't know how many they 'plant', nor how long the successes were in the ground before we see them grow. Here's the RHS advice: https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=433
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    I put just one acorn and one hazel nut in pots in mpc and they both just grew. Probably beginners luck!  I think they're probably best planted asap in individual pots, stick them somewhere sheltered and water occasionally, then just wait. 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I  do as Lizzie says except I don't water them.
    I've only done Acorns and Hazels, not Beech or Plane


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845
    edited October 2018
    The RHS link above says that some seeds mustn't dry out (don't say which).  That's my concern.  I planted a load last year but to no avail.  I keep finding conkers that the squirrel has planted for later.  Pretty impressive, as he plants them about 100m from the tree!  Will try the two in a pot trick!
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    It will be the nut/berry type that shouldn't dry out. With few exceptions small seed is dry when ripe                                 


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845
    Forestry commision: "Raising trees and shrubs"
    "It is also important to take great care not to expose acorns and chestnuts to drying." 
    What constitutes drying?  I've had them in the car for about three weeks!
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    sow them, nothing to lose.


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    I think also, you should sow now, and leave it outside, exposed to the weather. Hardy tree seeds and their seedlings do not need coddling.
  • WaysideWayside Posts: 845
    Goodo.  Do I need to pierce or split the acorns?
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Wayside said:
    Goodo.  Do I need to pierce or split the acorns?
    Nah. Stick them in a pot of gritty soil and leave them where the frost will get to them but the squirrels won't. Most of our native trees need a bit of cold to germinate. I've not tried chestnuts yet. Beech, ash, hazel and oak are all really easy to germinate. The only problem is stopping things eating them.
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
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