The Rowan Tree
January 22 – February 17
Go to bottom of page for definition of terms as well as other items of note.
Scarification:
Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 150 days. Warm stratify for 120 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 1/16″ deep, tamp the soil, lightly mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Ash Tree
February 18 – March 17
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 12 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 90 days or warm stratify for 30 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 3/8″ deep, tamp the soil, keep moist, and mulch the seed bed.
The Alder Tree
March 18 – April 14
Scarification:
None required.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 60-90 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 1/8″ deep, tamp the soil, lightly mulch the seed bed.
The Willow Tree
April 15 – May 12
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Store in wet sand for several days.
Germination:
Best to sow in spring. Sow seed 1/4″ deep, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Hawthorn Tree
May 13 – June 9
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 120 days.
Germination:
Best to sow in fall. Sow seed 1/4″ deep, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Oak Tree
June 10 – July 7
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
None required.
Germination:
Sow seed 1/4″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Holly Tree
July 8 – August 4
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 60 days or warm stratify for 60 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 3/8″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
Other: seedlings need shade for their first year , sporadic germination will occur over a 2-3 year period.
The Hazel Tree
August 5 – September 1
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 120 days or warm stratify for 90 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 1/4″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Vine
September 2 – September 29
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 60 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 1/4″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Ivy
September 30 – October 27
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 60 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 3/8″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Reed
October 28 – November 24
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 30 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 3/8″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
Note: Germination tends to be slow, but occurs faster in warmer temperatures.
Since a personality trait of the Reed is a strong sense of truth, the truth is the reed seeds are the most difficult to work with of all the birth tree seeds. They are quite small and tend to cling to the plastic envelope. You might have to cut open the bag to get the seeds out, and don’t hesitate to use your dry fingers to move them about. Patience is certainly a virtue in this case!
The Elder Tree
November 25 – December 23
Scarification:
Soak in hot tap water, let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 150 days or warm stratify for 60 days.
Germination:
Sow seed 1/4″ deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed, keep moist.
The Birch Tree
December 24 – January 21
Scarification:
Soak in water and let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification:
Cold stratify for 60 days.
Germination:
Sow just below soil surface and keep moist.
Note: Requires light for germination. Can be sown in the fall without stratification.
