Tree Seeds

This year I am trying something different with my surplus seeds. They are packaged in small quantities and priced just right, $1.10 each packet, shipping included. Availability can change daily. All my seeds are picked fresh, All seeds come with instructions that I either found in my propagation book or instructions that I know do work.

Some seeds require stratification (refrigeration) to come out of dormancy. Stratification needed is about 120 days. Due to the hardness of the external coat, moisture will not penetrate some seeds, the coat hs to be nicked or scratched a bit. I use a large nail clipper to crack an edge of the seed enough to allow moisture in.

Most seeds need to be soaked in water before being sown. That is fine for large to medium seeds, but when it comes to seeds that are almost invisible like Aspen or Butterfly bush, you have to just make sure when you sow them, they stay moist and warm all the time. Do not cover these seeds.

Here are the choices as of today:

VarietyApprox
Count
Notes
Catalpa20 Zone 5 and south, grows to 80 ft. Soak seeds in water for 2 days before sowing. Do not split wings, both halves are needed for germination. Sprouts about 3 days after sowing.
Red bud20 You get 5 pods. Each pod has from 1 to 8 seeds. Height 40 ft. Very showy tree in the Spring. Range New Jersey to Florida, west to New Mexico.
Mimosa (silk tree)50 One of the easiest trees to start. After scarifying (nick the edge of the seed with a file or a nail clipper) put the seeds in soil, water, and within 2 days they will start growing. Native of China, grows in zone 5 and south. If you don't scarify the seeds, only about 25% of them will grow.
Silver Maple 25 Another seed that does not seem to need stratification. I have planted these every month since I picked them in April 2001. They still sprout within a few days.
Red Maple50After 2 years of having these seeds, I finally found out what they are: Red maple. I used to call them mountain maple, and I have been selling them as such. The seeds came from a beautiful 50 ft. tall tree, over 50 years old, about 40 ft. across. The crown is very dense, and round. Grows north to Canada, south to Florida and west to Texas. Seeds are easy to get started. Slow grower.
American Sycamore50 One of the largest eastern hardwoods. Platanus Occidentalis Grows 60-100 ft., massive straight trunk and large crooked branches. Very low viability on these seeds. You may get one in 4 to sprout. This low viability is from day 1.These seeds have been stratified. Plant right away.
Black Locust 30 Someone sent me these seeds, I already planted them and are growing nicely. This tree quickly grows to 80 ft. but it is short lived. Virginia Indians made bows of the wood. Ideal for posts use of its durability. Naturalized from Maine to California.
Chinese Wisteria4 I planted some of these and sprouted in 3 days. Soak in advance, scarify.
Quaking Aspen25 New tree to me, very small seeds. Have to keep them moist all the time, otherwise they die. I mixed these seeds with potato flakes in an effort to make it easier to plant. To sow, make a small cut on a corner of the bag and shake it thinly on the soil. Do not cover, just keep it moist. According with some web sites on aspen I visited, the seed, while very viable (95%), is very short lived and very quick to sprout. It does not need stratification at all. Plant as soon as you can. It grows best when temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees.
Alyssum/Butterfly bush1000? I did it again, While separating seeds, I mixed 2 batches, 75% pink butterfly bush, and 25% white alyssum. Both require the same treatment, just sow them on top of the soil, don't cover, and keep moist. Alyssum will start growing in about 3 days, while the butterfly will take a good 2 weeks to become visible. Very generous packet, a heaping teaspoon. Ready to be planted. The best way to plant these, cut a corner of the bag and sprinkle the seeds out. Plant thinly.
When placing an order, enter in the white space the types of seeds you want. Add the item to the cart and change to quantity to reflect the number of packets you ordered.

Item P07 $1.10 per packet

Enter the type of seeds you want and how many packets of each before you hit the Add to Cart button

Front page.