Growing Trees from Seed: A Practical Guide to Growing Trees, Vines and Shrubs

Native trees grow much faster than non-native trees. But even experienced horticulturists can be mystified about how nature sows and germinates seeds especially acorns and walnuts.

Thanks to this book, any gardener can now grow trees from seeds within as little as ten years. The secrets are to know what seeds to collect and how to prepare and plant them. From their extensive knowledge, the authors guide the reader in identifying native trees, vines and shrubs and describe howto propagate them.

Growing Trees from Seed covers the ecology, abundance, fruit characteristics and edibility of the more than 200 species discussed in this book. There is expert guidance on when to gather fruits, how to extract seeds from the fruit, and when and how to treat and germinate the seed, plus information on transplanting and expected growth rate. Alerts throughout the book identify closely related non-native species now common to various regions.

Many illustrations and descriptions help the reader with plant identification. A seed-treatment guide provides a handy reference.

Among the trees, vines and shrubs covered are:

• Alders
• Beeches
• Berries
• Birches
• Cedars
• Cherries
• Chestnuts
• Clematis
• Dogwoods
• Elms
• Firs and pines
• Hickories
• Junipers
• Laurels
• Maples
• Oaks
• Plums
• Poplars
• Spruces
• Walnuts
• Willows.

There is no better guidebook on how to grow native trees from seed.

Henry Kock was an interpretive horticulturist for two decades at the University of Guelph's arboretum, where he founded the Elm Recovery Project.

Paul Aird is a forest scientist and professor of forest conservation policy at the University of Toronto.

John Ambrose served as curator of the University of Guelph's arboretum, and curator of botany and manager of horticulture at the Toronto Zoo.

Gerald Waldron is the author of three books and many popular articles and scientific papers on trees.