Questions about fall sowing trees

15 years ago

I find myself paralyzed with fear. I've been talking about doing this for three weeks and still haven't started. Here are some of my specific concerns.

1. Should I use container covers initially? In winter sowing we take covers off about the time spring temps are approaching fall's current temps to keep things from baking. Will I bake my seeds if I put even well ventilated tops on now?

2. Assuming some of my trees sprout before winter, and some should, would I put the container covers on them for winter? It would protect them from deer and squirrels, but would it be too much babying from the elements? Do my sprouts need tough love?

3. Assuming some seeds won't sprout until next spring when they've had warm-cold-warm, I think I should put covers on the unsprouted containers. Referring back to number one, at what temperature should I do this?

4. I think HOS might not be the best option for trees. It seems I should sow them in individual containers and upsize the containers for a few years until the trees are well established. Convince me this is unenlightened thinking. Or unnecessary fear. I have seven deer, and a countless entourage of armadillos, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, dogs and who knows what else to contend with.

Philmont, I'm counting on your input. TIA!

Seedmama

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Comments (4)

philmont_709n2
15 years ago
The main variable here is what kind of tree seeds your planting.

1 and 2. If you are sowing any kind of nut (acorns, hickory, chestnut, walnut, buckeye, etc.) you will definitely need to cover them somehow or the rodents will ravaged you container. You do want to be careful that the seeds wont bake. you can literally block the light from the sun so it will stay at the temp that is outside or just make it really really well ventilated. Also if you are sowing nuts or berry seed makes sure that the soil they are in is DEEP. if not the whole container will become an ice brick and that will kill many nut species. nuts that sprout in the fall (white oak species and chinkapins) will need to have that taproot protected from intense freezing. try to mimic nature in your area. if the acorns in the wild can survive mild freezing, etc. then if you can mimic that they ought to do well. Some really small seeds like Sourwood trees can be sown like any other winter sown seed. their seeds are like powder and can take on anything nature has to give it. and in the spring they begin sprouting.

3. I'd try to keep them covered all winter and after they sprout or squirrels WILL ravage them. The first chance you give them they will take advantage of it. Try to keep them covered but not baking. Good ventilation will probably be sufficient.

4. You can use HOS for some tree seeds. Sourwood for example does great with HOS and I'd think that some other very small seeded tree species would be the same. But with large seeds like nuts and some berry seeds you don't need to do HOS because the seeds are so large you don't need sow so closely because the seeds would be few and far between. You can upsize the containers every few years or you can plant the trees where you want them to be for better results because then the taproot wont get all twisted around the bottom of the container and all the roots will have a head start collecting nutrients, also the tree will be much more firmly planted in th soil and less likely to blow over. But even if you do this make sure you cage it off for a few years or protect it somehow from critters.

And most of all USE PROTECTION!! Haha. Those deer will mow down your prized trees and even if the squirrels aren't after the nuts your trees came from after it has already sprouted, they will dig up the trees FOR NO REASON!!! bite the stem of your new trees right in half FOR NO REASON!!!
Squirrels are the devil!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope this helps
seedmama
Original Author
15 years ago
philmont,
thank you for your timely and detailed response. This is very good information that will help me be successful.

When I shared your info with my husband, he suggested I put the containers on the second story balcony. It will eliminate the deer problem and reduce the squirrel problem. I think I'll cast a net of chicken wire across all.

Thanks again. I really do appreciate it.
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If your asking about the Kentucky Coffee Trees(!), they are pretty toxic and Id think the animals would avoid them. That's not to say that they wont bite it off and taste it and kill it, so yep, cover it up. Then again, I have seen the little rats carrying the seed pods around and nibbling on them. I guess they arent THAT toxic. grrrr
Personally, I would save myself the overwintering anxiety and wait to plant them so they dont sprout right away. You're two zones warmer than us, tho, so maybe that's not an issue.
seedmama
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks Doris! Would you believe I just came down from the balcony, having delivered the last of the 2 liters? I did set some of the seed aside in case of failure.

In addition to the Kentucky Coffee Tree seeds you traded me, I will also be sowing Gingko Biloba (5), Acer Autumn Coloured Hybrids Mixed (20), Zelkova (12), Acer Palmatum (60), Paulownia Tomentosa (10) and an assortment of other trees I've scavenged seeds from

Questions about fall sowing trees

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Questions about fall sowing trees

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philmont_709n2

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