60 AMERICAN MUSEUM GUIDE LEAFLETS 



GROWTH OF TREES FROM SEEDS 



TREES in nature grow not only from seeds l>ut also from .stump 

 sprouts and sometimes from cuttings (twigs broken from the trees 

 during storms). Man's best method, with few exceptions (see p. 

 02) is to grow trees from seeds. 



Obtaining the Seeds 



Seeds may be purchased from nurserymen but the grade is not always 

 reliable and the cost is high. If possible, collect the seeds for the immediate 

 need. Collect thoroughly ripe seeds from well-grown roadside or field 

 trees or from trees at the edge of the forest, remembering that as a rule the 

 best and largesl seeds produce the best trees. If seeds are obtained from a 

 distance, the resulting trees will be hardier if the seeds come from a more 

 northerly rather than from a more southerly section. Test the seeds by 

 cutting open a few to sec that the kernels are plump and moist. If desired 

 make an absolute test as follows: plant some of the seeds in sphagnum or 

 wet sand; cover the seeds their own depth and keep moist; the greater 

 number of tree seeds germinate in from ten to thirty days. 



Disposition of Tree Seals for the Winter 



Nature plants tree seeds soon after they ripen; the time of sprouting is 

 another matter. Seeds that ripen in the spring are likely to sprout and 

 make strong seedlings before winter; such are the elms and soft maples, 

 poplars and willows. Of those that ripen in the fall, a few such as the 

 white i ak may grow before frost, but the larger number wait until spring. 

 Among those that lie dormant one or more years are the linden, locust and 

 ted cedar. 



Seed> should be removed from their cones, husks or pulpy coverings 

 (Fig. 51) and then spread out to dry in the sun or in a warm room of the 

 hou^e. Dry only enough to prevent moulding; excessive drying destroys 

 the vitality of the seed>. To insure for the winter the safe keeping of nuts 

 and acorns and the smaller seeds, except those of conifers, arrange ill a 

 box in layers separated by layers of moist sand. Store this box in some cool 

 cellar-like place or bury it in a shallow pit out of doors, heaping the soil above 

 and further protecting from rain by boards. Seeds of pine, spruce and other 

 conifers may be kept in boxes of dr\ sand, or in bags hung in a dry, cold 

 place. 



If a seed bed can be made in the fall, many seeds may be planted advan- 

 tageously at that time. The loam of (he ordinary garden bed serves well for 

 broadleaf trees; conifers need a mixture of loam and one-third sand. The 



