How to Grow Beech Nut Trees From Seeds
The American beech tree is a popular ornamental and shade tree. It is known to have beautiful fall colors ranging from gold to deep copper. Growing a beech nut tree from seed can be a challenge, but armed with the right information, success is far more likely. Follow the steps below to start beech trees from seeds in the Midwestern United States. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Find a healthy, successful beech tree that is growing within a 100-mile radius of the intended planting site in order to ensure that the tree is suitable for the climate in which it will grow. Collect the seeds between mid-September and late November when they are fully mature and begin falling from the tree. Select ripe beech tree seeds, which have brown husks beginning to open. Take seeds that have just fallen from the tree or about to fall.
-
2
Prepare a seedbed by raking or turning over an area of sandy loam soil. You should have drainage conditions, soil texture and pH similar to the site where the parent beech nut tree grows.
-
-
3
Sew the seed in the fall just after collecting. Scatter 50 to 80 seeds per square foot in the seedbad and then cover with about half an inch of dirt. Keeping the seeds in the ground over winter like this will encourage germination come spring. Prevent rodents from getting in the seedbed by covering it with a mesh hardwire cloth, but remove it in early spring before the seeds begin to grow.
-
4
Provide 50 percent shade for the seedlings through the first half of the summer. Do not allow weeds to grow in the seedbed. You do not want weeds competing with the seedlings for moisture or nutrients. Rodents and deer may also be a threat to seedlings. Consider using tree shelters to prevent animals from damaging or consuming the tender seedlings.
-
5
Thin beech nut tree seedlings to a maximum of 45 stems in 1 square foot when the seedlings are 1 year old. Any seedlings that need to be removed can be transplanted to a designated permanent location or simply discarded.
-
6
Transplant the remaining seedlings from the seedbed to their intended home when the seedlings are 2 years old. Water the young trees every week unless there is adequate rainfall. Enjoy watching your beech nut trees grow.
-
1
