As the nights draw in it’s tempting to hunker inside – but this is the best time of year to explore your local woods or nearest park, and gather the seeds, nuts and fruits that will grow to become the next generation of life-giving trees, shrubs and hedgerows.
The Autumn Equinox is the official start of The Tree Council’s Seed Gathering Season and over the next month we’ll be running free, online talks, as well as sharing lots of practical information on our social media channels around how to collect seeds; process and prepare them for growing, and then sow and plant them out.
On Wednesday October 2, artist, Rob Kesseler and seed morphologist, Wolfgang Stuppy take us through the incredible images in their new book, Seeds – Time Capsules of Life captured using a scanning electron microscope. The range of sizes, shapes, and patterns plants have evolved over 360 million years to perfect their one and only chance in life to travel is beyond human’s wildest imagination.
You can enter The Tree Council’s competition to win a copy of Seeds by signing up for The Leaflet newsletter, here, or by visiting www.treecouncil.org.uk/competition/.
A week later, on Wednesday October 9, The Tree Council’s Director of Trees, Science and Research, Jon Stokes delivers a Seed Gathering Masterclass from 1-2pm. This is the perfect opportunity learn more about tree and seed identification, collection and planting from one of the legends of the tree sector.
Jon said: “Life starts with the seed – if you get them right and put them in the right places, you can get free trees anywhere. That’s the joy of it.”
And don’t forget to check out The Tree Growers Guide and The Young Tree Growers Guide – brilliant resources packed with beautiful illustrations, tips and information around seed collecting and tree establishment; as well as activities for teachers and young tree growers and their families.
Sara Lom, The Tree Council CEO, said: “Seed Gathering Season is a wonderful opportunity for us all to come together and gather seed from local trees and nurture them to become young saplings, which can be planted locally to benefit future generations.”
Seeds: Time Capsules of Life, with Rob Kesseler and Dr Wolfgang Stuppy, takes place on Wednesday October 2, from 1-2pm. Tickets are free but booking is essential, secure your spot here > https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thetreecouncil/1363367
Seed Gathering Masterclass with Jon Stokes takes place on Wednesday October 9, from 1-2pm. Tickets are free but booking is essential, secure your spot here > https://www.tickettailor.com/events/thetreecouncil/1375296
Seed Gathering Season runs from September 22 to October 22, ahead of the winter tree planting season at the end of November.
MORE: Seed Gathering Season: Jon Stokes on a magical time of year
