How to Collect and Store Seeds From Autumn Trees & Shrubs

Autumn gardening is underrated. At Mail Order Trees, we love it! The crisp air, the stunning autumnal leaves and the soft ground make it a great time to grab the gardening gloves and get stuck in.

One of our favourite activities during autumn is collecting and storing seeds. It’s a great way to propagate your garden sustainably. Plus, you get to play matchmaker as you get to preserve the characteristics of your favourite trees and shrubs.

Whether you’re looking to grow more of your favourite tree, or share seeds with your nearest and dearest, collecting and storing seeds is an essential gardening skill.

In this guide, we’ll go through the step by step process of collecting and storing seeds from autumn trees and shrubs. Come the springtime, you’ll be well stocked and ready for planting season!

Make Sure You Choose the Right Seeds

Lots of seeds can be a nightmare to collect! Luckily however, there are plenty of autumn bloomers and deciduous plants that are perfect to go for. Look for species that naturally drop their seeds in autumn, as they’re the ideal choice for harvesting. Check out some of our suggestions:

• Acer (Maple) – Maples produce winged seeds, known as samaras, which are an easy find in autumn.
  
  
• Betula (Birch) – Birches have small, paper-like seeds that ripen in autumn time.
  
  
• Crataegus (Hawthorn) – Look out for the bright red berries that contain seeds. They can be collected and grown into new trees.
  
  
• Syringa (Lilac) – Find the seed capsules from lilac and store them ready for planting.
  
  
• Aesculus (Horse Chestnut) – An autumn favourite - conkers. You know what to look out for here. They’re easy to find and resilient to store.

How to Collect Your Seeds

Now that you know what to collect, it’s time to get going. But, it does require some patience. You should aim to harvest the seeds when they’re fully mature, but before they naturally disperse.

1. Maturity: Make sure that seed pods or fruit are dry and fully developed. Look out for browning of seed pods, capsules that are split, or the natural dropping of seeds. For example, the seeds from maples will turn brown and detach when they’re ready.
   
   
2. Gathering Seeds: For trees like maples and birches, just go ahead and pick the seeds from the tree or ground. Shrubs with berries, like hawthorn or holly, require a little bit more work. After you've gathered the fruits, remove the fleshy part and extract the seed.
   
   
3. Clean the Seeds: It’s important to clean your seeds before storage to prevent mould. For dry seeds (like those of birch or maple), simply remove any chaff or debris. For seeds inside berries, soak the fruits in water to soften them, then gently crush and remove the seeds, rinsing them in clean water to remove any remaining pulp.
   
   
4. Dry the Seeds: Once cleaned, spread the seeds out in a single layer on a paper towel or a dry cloth. Leave them in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight for a few days to fully dry.

Storing Your Seeds for Spring Planting

Once you’ve collected your seeds, it’s important to store them properly to get the best growth in spring. If you don’t get this step right, you could end up with mould growth. Plus, it will be highly likely that the seeds will lose their ability to germinate.

1. The Container: We recommend storing your seeds in seed packets, breathable cloth bags or the tried and tested paper envelope. This will allow a good level of air circulation. Avoid storing your seeds in plastic bags, as they trap moisture, resulting in fungal growth or rot. 
   
   
2. Labelling: It’s wise to label those seed packets. Personally, I really struggle take the time to label my seeds. Come the springtime, I’m cursing myself and picking up random packets, promising to be more organised next year.
   
   Go ahead and label the plant’s name, collection date and any other important details like specific growing conditions. Trust me, you’ll thank yourself when planting season rolls around.
   
   
3. Storage: Find a cool, dry place to store your seeds, e.g. a draw or cupboard. Try to avoid anywhere humid as the moisture can wreak havoc on your seeds. Chestnuts or hawthorns can also be stored in the fridge!

Follow these tips and you’ll be onto a winner when it comes to autumn seed collection and storage. Not only can you extend the life of your garden, but it’s also budget busting and sustainable.

Before you know it, you’ll be well on your way to filling your garden with more of your favourite trees and shrubs.

Happy collecting.