| time of flowers | time of seed collection | interval between good seed crops (years) | sow straight away | prepare/statify | propagate cuttings/layering suckers | comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEECH Fagus sylvatica |
May | Sept – Nov | 1-3 | Autumn sowing alright if soil. Stratify over winter and sow free-draining and site not.in March. Prone to late Spring frosts. |
Stratify over winter and sow in March | Seed should not be allowed to sweat or heat up individually after collection – this causes the seedcoat to blacken | |
| HORSE CHESTNUT Aesculus hippocastanum |
Apr – May | Sept – Oct | 1-2 | Sow immediately after collection. | Stratify until spring | Conkers – the love of all children!! | |
| LIME Tilia Cordata and Tilia Platyphyllos |
early July | Oct | 2-3 | Stratify for 17mths. | The 2 common limes in NI seldom produce fertile seeds. | ||
| SYCAMORE Ater pseudoplatanus |
Mid-April | Sept – Oct | 1-3 | Sow immediately after collection. | or slowly dry in cool place until the end of Feb, stratify for 8 weeks | If stratified too soon, seeds may germinate before the weather is suitable. |