Growing trees from seeds

Anne Swithinbank's masterclass on: tree seedlings

- Anne Swithinbank

Q I have successfully collected, sown and germinated various tree seeds. They are still together in their original containers, and I’m not sure when to separate them or how to grow them on. What can I do?

Patricia Dickinson, Weymouth, Dorset

A Watching your trees grow from seed is a lovely project, and you can expect a decent-sized sapling in five-seven years. This is a great way of enjoying young trees in small gardens and collecting the seed yourself means you can be sure of provenance or origin.

This is especially important if you would like to increase a population of native trees such as oaks or rowans from those that have grown and adapted themselves to a specific location. We fall in love with trees, and can remember them through their offspring. Be aware that seed sown from named cultivars may not produce plants that turn out exactly like their parents, but those from species will hardly vary at all.