When to plant: Late winter to early spring. Stratification: Cold and moist at 4°C for 4–6 weeks. Planting conditions: On wet compost, covered by a thin layer of sand. Processing: Collect seeds from October to February. Place ripe cones (firm, brown and beginning to open) in paper bags in a warm place until the seed falls. Storage: 8–10% moisture at below 4°C. Seed can be dried and frozen. Notes: Fast germination.

When to plant: Spring after stratification. Stratification: 4–5 weeks at 20°C followed by 20 weeks at 4°C. Planting conditions: Unfussy and thrives in chalky and limestone soils. Storage: Store unstratified seed in a cool, dry place. Notes: Takes 4–6 weeks to germinate after stratification.

When to sow: October if unstratified, early February if stratified. Stratification: On a wet paper towel or similar in a sealed bag at 4°C for 9–16 weeks. Planting conditions: Sow in small pots around 0.5 inches deep in moist compost. Plant out once established. Harvesting: Pick ripe apples in October–November and allow fruit to ferment in water so seeds sink. Alternatively crush fruit and manually extract seed. Rinse and dry for one day. Storage: 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Easily revived with deep dormancy. Notes: Check weekly, plant sprouted seeds and discard mouldy ones.

When to plant: Late autumn if unstratified, April if stratified. Stratification: Soak seeds for 24 hours, then mix with moist sand or vermiculite in a sealed bag and refrigerate for 4 weeks. Check weekly to ensure seeds do not dry out or germinate early. Sow in spring with only 1–2mm covering of compost or grit. Planting conditions: Moist planting medium with light covering. Prefers moist soils. Harvesting: Collect strobiles from late August before they turn brown, dry in thin layers and rub to release seed. Storage: 8–10% moisture below -4°C. Shallow dormancy and can be frozen and revived easily. Notes: Pioneer species that tolerates moisture.

Plant in early spring. Mash berries in water, discard floaters, clean seed, optionally scarify with sulphuric acid dip. Stratify in moist sand and vermiculite mix for 3–4 weeks at 20–25°C followed by 3–4 months at 3–5°C. Sow 1–2 cm deep in moist, well-drained soil. Collect red berries, remove pulp, clean and dry seeds before storage. Store at 10–12% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived. Passive stratification can take 18 months with lower germination rates.

Plant from late November to March. Soak seed for 24 hours then cold stratify with vermiculite at 4°C for 4 weeks. Fast-growing deciduous tree suitable for full sun and wet, clay, poor, chalky, or drought-prone soils. Nitrogen-fixing and suitable for windbreaks and reclamation. Collect mature strobiles in autumn/winter and dry to release winged seeds. Store at 8–10% moisture below -4°C. Shallow dormancy, easily revived. Stratification improves germination but is not essential.

Sow in autumn or spring after stratification. Natural winter stratification improves germination; spring sowing requires 6 months cold stratification with moist sand and peat. Prefers moist but well-drained soil in sun or shade. Process seed by mashing black fruits, washing away flesh, and drying in warm conditions away from direct sunlight. Store at 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived.

Plant outdoors in autumn or in early spring after stratification. Requires approximately 4 weeks cold stratification at 2–5°C in moist sand, peat, or vermiculite, though up to 60–90 days may improve success rates. Germinated seeds should be planted 1 cm deep in moist, free-draining compost and kept warm and bright. Harvest cones November–February and dry to release seeds. Dry seed stores for up to 5 years at -5°C.

Plant immediately after harvest. Stratification not required. Prefers moist, rich soil and is a thirsty plant. Store moist at 4°C. Seed viability is very short-lived.

Plant after stratification or in autumn if unstratified, though germination may take 2 years. Requires 90 days warm stratification followed by 90 days cold stratification after pulp removal. Prefers deep, fertile, moist soil and thrives in clay and calcareous soils with sunlight. Store at 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived.

Plant when seeds have sprouted. Requires 8–10 weeks warm stratification at 15–20°C followed by 8–16 weeks cold stratification at 4°C in damp sand or vermiculite. Sow about 5 mm deep in seed compost. Harvest when capsules split to reveal orange seeds. Store at 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived. All parts of the plant are toxic.

When to sow: Any time of year. Stratification: None needed. Planting conditions: Collect green, maturing catkins in April or May just as they turn brown and begin to split. Collect branches with catkins and place cut ends in water indoors for 1–2 weeks to allow the catkins to dry and release the seed. Storage: Store moist at 4°C. Keeps for 4 weeks in non-drying conditions at 0°C and can survive longer if moisture is reduced to 6% or less. Notes: Pioneer species with very short seed viability. Can be dried to 4% moisture and frozen.

When to plant: Spring if stratified, autumn if not. Stratification: 4–8 weeks at 3–5°C after thorough removal of pulp, which contains a germination inhibitor. Planting conditions: Grows well in most soil types and prefers slight shade to full sun. Storage (Alder Buckthorn): 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Easily revived. Deep dormancy. Storage (Common Buckthorn): 10% moisture below -4°C. Deep dormancy and easily revived. Notes: Considered invasive in North America. Sow when 10% of seed shows signs of germination.

When to plant: After stratification. Unstratified seed can take a very long time to germinate. Stratification: Thoroughly clean seed, discard floaters and stratify in moist medium for 8–12 weeks, though some recommend up to 40 weeks. Planting conditions: Wide range of soils in full sun where possible. Storage: 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Easily revived with deep dormancy. Notes: Young plants need room to scramble.

Appearance not specified. Requires deep dormancy treatment with 8 weeks warm pre-treatment at 20°C followed by 24 weeks cold stratification at 4°C in damp sand or vermiculite. Can also be sown outdoors in autumn for natural winter stratification. Plant in winter in full sun or partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Harvest seed in late September to early October and dry in thin layers before storing in paper bags. Store at 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Easily revived. Deep dormancy.

Plant once germination has occurred. Requires warm pre-treatment at 20°C for around 40 weeks followed by at least 24 weeks cold stratification at 4°C. Keep medium moist throughout. Seeds may germinate during cold phase. Prefers moist acidic soil in partial shade or full sun. Collect berries November–February, remove pulp and dry seeds thoroughly. Store at 10–12% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived. Seeds may take up to five years to germinate.

Plant in autumn if fresh or late spring/early summer if stratified. Optional cold stratification for 90–120 days at around 4°C. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Store moist at 4°C. Seeds remain viable for 18–24 weeks in non-drying conditions at 0°C. Stratification improves germination but is not essential. Avoid drying out acorns.

Plant immediately after stratification. After pulp removal, seeds require 2 weeks warm treatment followed by up to 4 months cold stratification at 4°C or lower in moist medium. Prefers full sun with consistent moisture. Store at 10–12% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived.

Plant in early autumn if unstratified or early spring if stratified. After float test, cold moist stratification for 30–60 days is recommended. Prefers well-drained soil. Store moist at 4°C and viable for 18–24 weeks at 0°C if not dried out. Stratification improves germination and prevents premature sprouting.

Plant immediately after harvest. Stratification not required. Prefers moist, rich soil and is a thirsty plant. Store moist at 4°C. Seed viability is very short-lived.

Plant March–April. Cold stratify for around 8 weeks at 4°C. Requires light to germinate so sow shallowly in potting medium. Keep consistently moist after germination. Prefers deep, wet alluvial soils and tolerates clay. Collect keys September–October and plant quickly after harvest. Seed is short-lived and cannot dry out. Store moist at 4°C.

When to plant: Spring if stratified, autumn if not. Stratification: Soak for 24 hours and discard floaters. Place in a 50/50 mix of moist sand and compost in a sealed bag at 3–4°C for up to 150 days. Check regularly and plant any germinated seeds. Average germination time is around 55 days. Planting conditions: Sow 3–8 inches deep in well-drained soil. Harvesting: Shake seed from the tree onto a sheet, remove outer husks, dry, float test and discard floaters. Viable seed should feel heavy and full. Storage: 15% moisture below -5°C. Deep dormancy and requires careful drying. Maximum storage 3 years at 10% moisture and -10°C. Notes: Loses viability rapidly and good mast years only occur every 2–8 years.

When to plant: Autumn if unstratified, spring if stratified. Stratification: Collect ripe berries, remove pulp, place seeds in moist sand or peat moss at approximately 4°C for 2 months, then soak in warm water for 24 hours before sowing in containers with garden soil and peat. Planting conditions: Well-drained soil is essential. Tolerates poor and chalky soils. Storage: Keep cold and moist. Can store for several years below 5°C in moist substrate. Check periodically for mould. Notes: All parts of the seed are toxic.

When to plant: Autumn if unstratified, spring if stratified. Stratification: Soak for 2 days and remove pulp. Scarify seed case or use dilute acid. Keep moist and chill to 4°C for 8–12 weeks before planting. Planting conditions: Plant around 1 inch deep. Harvesting: Harvest in October or November when berries are bright red and soft. Soak, mash and clean seed thoroughly before drying. Storage: 10–12% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy and easily revived. Notes: Hard drupe case requires scarification.

Plant after stratification. Following removal of pulp, keep seeds warm in moist substrate for 12 weeks, then cold stratify for 14 weeks at 4°C. Sow densely in consistently moist, slightly acidic soil (around pH 5.5). Store at 10% moisture below -4°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived.

Plant in spring after stratification or in autumn. Requires warm stratification at 20°C for 4 weeks followed by cold stratification at 4°C for 24 weeks. Alternatively sow outdoors in autumn for natural winter stratification. Sow thinly and cover lightly with compost. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. Harvest in late autumn when bracts turn brown and dry. Store at 10–12% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived. Cold phase may take up to 9 months.

Plant in late winter after stratification. Requires 2–3 months cold treatment at around 4°C while kept moist. Prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Clean all flesh from seeds and dry thoroughly. Some growers soak in 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes to prevent mould. Suggested storage below 0°C with silica gel to absorb moisture.

Plant immediately after stratification. After pulp removal, seeds require 2 weeks warm treatment followed by up to 4 months cold stratification at 4°C or lower in moist medium. Prefers full sun with consistent moisture. Store at 10–12% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived.

Plant in April if stratified or autumn if unstratified. Requires 4–6 weeks cold moist stratification after soaking for 24 hours. Store in damp vermiculite or perlite at 2–4°C. Sow on well-drained compost or vermiculite with light covering at 15–20°C. Harvest catkins late August to early winter. Store at 8–10% moisture below -4°C. Shallow dormancy and easily revived. Germination can be sporadic.

Plant after stratification or in autumn if unstratified, though germination may take 2 years. Requires 90 days warm stratification followed by 90 days cold stratification after pulp removal. Prefers deep, fertile, moist soil and thrives in clay and calcareous soils with sunlight. Store at 10–15% moisture below 0°C. Deep dormancy, easily revived.

Plant in spring or autumn if not stratifying. Requires 2–4 months cold stratification at 1–4°C in moist medium. Prefers well-drained soil in full sun. Chestnuts must remain moist until radicle sprouts. Harvest October–November. Store in paper bag in refrigerator for up to a month. Store moist at 4°C. Viable 18–24 weeks at 0°C if not dried out. Discard floating seeds during water test.