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I have had mixed success with hornbeam seeds. I have had to buy most of mine from over seas here wich means they are in different weather zone I guess. There is a thread some were that talks about hornbeam germination and some species are easier than others I think it was rock hornbeam. One lot I had Carpinus coreana had almost 100% germination. this happened in the first stage of stratification being warm for I think 30 days they were then meant to go into cold stratification for another 2-3 months. This would have had them ready for spring planting. As they came out early I had new seedings in the middle of winter(I like hornbeams so much it was a labour of love putting them out in the sun every morning and bringing them back in each nite. I think this can be a common occurance with hornbeam and not just because I was in a different weather zone.
As with most seeds being fresh is very improtant, but I believe it is very important with hornbeam, this will work in your favour. I have some Trident and elm trees that supply me with heaps of seeds. I have found when I have an abundance of seeds that I get best results if I collect the seeds soak them for 24-48 hours and then just sow them straight in the ground to be stratified naturally.
By the sounds of your situation I would try this. I wouldn't be suprised if you have a forest of hornbeam seedlings come spring for very little work.

26-Dec-2006	#5
soltan Wabi and Sabi student Join Date: Apr-2005 Country: australia USDA Zone: 8-9? AHS Heat Zone: ? Posts: 579	I have had mixed success with hornbeam seeds. I have had to buy most of mine from over seas here wich means they are in different weather zone I guess. There is a thread some were that talks about hornbeam germination and some species are easier than others I think it was rock hornbeam. One lot I had Carpinus coreana had almost 100% germination. this happened in the first stage of stratification being warm for I think 30 days they were then meant to go into cold stratification for another 2-3 months. This would have had them ready for spring planting. As they came out early I had new seedings in the middle of winter(I like hornbeams so much it was a labour of love putting them out in the sun every morning and bringing them back in each nite. I think this can be a common occurance with hornbeam and not just because I was in a different weather zone. As with most seeds being fresh is very improtant, but I believe it is very important with hornbeam, this will work in your favour. I have some Trident and elm trees that supply me with heaps of seeds. I have found when I have an abundance of seeds that I get best results if I collect the seeds soak them for 24-48 hours and then just sow them straight in the ground to be stratified naturally. By the sounds of your situation I would try this. I wouldn't be suprised if you have a forest of hornbeam seedlings come spring for very little work. __________________ GROW DAMIT! BRETT AUSTRALIA ZONE 8-9?