hornbeam seeds: collecting, trading, growing...

Selah_Tree

In my area of the thick wood, we are lucky enough to host both european hop hornbeam and 'american' hornbeam ( I believe they are Ostrya virginiana and Carpinus cariloneana respectively). And by fall both the trees and the ground are covered with catkins and seeds. My questions are: What is the success rate with hornbeam seeds and is it possible to trade any of these seeds for another specie? Are these seeds actually worth trading for? How can I go about collecting and preparing these seeds for propogation?

Thanks in advance for the help

Craig

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BONSAI_OUTLAW

craig....boo stupid seeds...

go dig some of the trees up.... I found a grove of them on the "neches" awhile back. I have to go out and chop some of them back soon. I have been working them in the ground.

Young trees are more valuable than seeds in my opinion for trading purposes.

Selah_Tree

Bonsai_Outlaw, yes I love digging up young trees. So far I have a list of about 10 or so hornbeams to dig up from the property this year. Most of which I will probably find somebody to trade with or sell. Are you having luck lifting the trees? The first three trees I tried to collect died. My success rate is pretty pitiful with this specie, wonder if you've had any success? Especially since these guys like to have mile-long taproots.

But I'm still wondering about the seeds... I've heard that they have a poor success rate from seed...can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thanks again

Craig

BONSAI_OUTLAW

i have not lost any...I dig them a lil late, around feb-march, after they produce some leaves....then keep them in the shade till june-july.

soltan

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.

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rockm

Oystra virginiana is not European hop hornbeam. It is a North American native and not uncommon in the Southeast. It is similar to Carolina hornbeam, but prefers better drained locations. Both make great bonsai.

Skip the seeds. Not worth the effort if you have collectable trees in the area.

soonami

I collected seeds fall 2005 and I collected 100+ stratified them and in the spring only 10 or so germinated. Granted this is one experience, but I didn't find picking the seeds, dewinging them, soaking them, and stratifying them worth the effort. This was especially clear this spring when I walked around the forest and collect 50 seedlings by just pulling on the trunk with little force.

As for the trading, these seeds really don't have much value for trade, most people are interested in seeds of traditional species such as: Japanese black pine, white pine or maple, tridents, and chinese elm. If you want to trade, go out in march and cut down a hornbeam with a 4" trunk, you'll get a good deal with one of those.

As for seed treatment, collect the seeds while they are still green and the wings are just starting to turn yellow. Take off the wings and soak the seeds, then transfer to moist medium for 1 month at 70ºF and then 3 months at 40ºF. After the risk of frost plant outside. Instead of artificially stratifying the seeds you can just soak the seeds and then plant them directly outside or store them underground in a container until early spring when you can dig up the seeds and sow them directly.