Betula alleghaniensis

Seeds Type

Orthodox, that is to say seeds with the capability to withstand desiccation and freezing temperatures (-20°C) and may therefore be conserved for years, if not decades.

For germination, you must...

1. allow TWO MONTHS for seed treatment;
2. subject them to a scarification AND a cold stratification before sowing (follow the steps below in order).

Scarification : Soak the winged nutlets in water at room temperature for 24 hours.
Stratification (cold) : Place the winged nutlets in a bag (Ziploc Slider type) containing slightly premoistened peat moss. Seeds should be surrounded by the latter. Close the bag and place it in cool storage (between 1°C and 5°C) for approximately two months.
Seedlings : Remove the content from the bag and sow the winged nutlets by broadcasting the mix on the growth medium. Bury very lightly, less than one millimeter from the soil surface.
Comments : Yellow Birch seeds would require light to germinate. That is why it is important to sow the seeds at the surfce of the growth medium or very shallowly (about 1 mm under the surface).