Grow Your Own Magazine

I've been give three cobnuts at a seed swap. I suppose they might grow? I was planning to stick them in a pot and see what happens, but does anyone have any experiences of growing from a nut seed.

Actually, the squirrels leave lots of walnuts in our garden from a neighbour's tree and they quite often sprout into young plants, but we don't really want one of these. Would love hazel though, so interested if anyone has had success with them this way?

Haven't had any experience of this one MuckDiva, but really don't see why it shouldn't work.
The seed casing is rock solid, and naturally falls to the ground before rotting. It may be that it needs freezing to kick start it. Try an experiment and put one in the fridge for a bit. I guess they are not quick starters either, so be patient. Good luck.

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Regards, Jane
What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? The creative adult is the child who has survived.
Ursula LeGuin
http://www.etribes.com/madderbat

I have grown hundreds of trees from nuts/seeds.

Hazels are excellent germinators. I reckon on 75% success just stuck in the ground. In my experience there's very little to it. Stick it in the ground in Oct and wait.

Sweet Chestnut is my favourite - the leaves are so beautiful - and in 25 years time there is fruit! Again they germinate well.

I would advise planting seed straight into the ground and not worrying about squirrels. Some seeds/nuts need frosting to crack. Some people use a freezer - but why when it all happens naturally?

Three years ago I visited Southwell and took the tour up the Minster tower. At the top were thousands of yew tree seeds. Having made their way from the churchyard via the intestines of wood pigeons. The guide asked me what I was doing on my hands and knees scraping around in pigeon shit! I explained that germination of yew is helped oif the seed has been through a bird's gut/gizzard. Even bearing that in mind I gathered about 100 seeds and I now have 3 yews!

Do try hazels. I also strted a thread on hazels a while back. See Coppicing Hazel

A great way to learn about tree propagation - in a fun and kid friendly way is to take part in The Tree Council's Seed Gathering Season http://www.treecouncil.org.uk/

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it's written in the wind that we're two, carved out in the sand that we're real,
it's lit up in the stars that we're true, we're destined in the sky to be glad
Paul Weller
http://johntygreentoes.blogspot.com/

Thanks for your advice JG and MB, I will give it a go then.