For collecting most tree seeds the ideal time of year to be rambling about in the woods or ambling about in the park is the autumn and early winter. Start too early and the first seeds may not be ripe enough to germinate, leave it too late and the winds and wildlife may have got there before you.
There are lots of great seed gathering guides and tree identification resources available on line, and we’ve picked out a few of our favourites here to get you started;
- The Woodland Trust has a free tree identification app and guide available here
- The Tree Council have loads of resources available to download including a seed identification guide, and a guide to growing trees from seed.
- The Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland have produced the Autumn Seed Harvest Handbook. This is a more detailed and in depth guide packed with information which might be a bit heavy reading for some of our younger communi-tree growers.
If you want to collect seed for a specific project please have a look at the wish lists on the Projects page for up to date requirements.
Dimpsey Woods 