Davidia involucrata seeds

Got a number of kernels from one of these. Search shows them as containing multi-seeds. Any suggestions as to, if this is true, and how to split the kernel without damaging the seeds inside?

 

Many years ago we "found" some and as far as we can remember we sowed the whole kernel. A year later and nothing showing so we up ended the pot to find a huge root. Quickly put it back but nothing else happened. So we then bought one and it took nearly 25 years to flower! The handkerchiefs get hit by the wind and rain but the fruits are now hanging on the tree looking like baubles on a christmas tree.
Had a search and came up with this link.
Dove Tree, Hankercheif Tree (davidia involucrata)
If it wasn't for the storm we would go out and collect one of the fruits and have a look to see what is inside and whether you do need to "cut" it open.

 

Nature will probably know.
I'd just sow the whole thing and let the frost get to it.
Either that or just lay a few on the surface of a seed tray and cover with a net or similar and let the winter weather work on it.

 

It must be possible. We bought one from Biddulph a few years back and that was a seedling.

 

Of course its possible, just let nature do the work, the capsule must open naturally at some point, and allow the seeds to germinate, otherwise the plant would never have survived.

Alternatively try hitting it with a hammer.

 

I have a vague memory of a discussion with the Director of Ness Gardens about how the original import of the seeds from the wild did not germinate so they were put on the compost heap where the flesh and the kernel eventually rotted and the seeds grew.
I have sown the fruit in compost and put the pot in a safe place outside and we shall see what, if anything, happens.
Always interesting to try these new things.

 

Might find this of interest: "The wildly different germination success of early introductions points to a problem relevant both to horticulture and conservation, for despite not being assessed by the IUCN, Davidia is widely considered in Chinese literature (e.g. Fu & Jin 1992) as being under threat. Fruits contain a variable number of embryos, reduced by abortion during fruit development, apparently an active response to a tree’s external and internal environment (Li et al. 2016). The established picture is of double dormancy, with the radicle emerging after a period of warmth, but further growth delayed until after exposure to cold (Dirr 2009). It is not at all clear whether all the viable embryos germinate at once. It may be sufficient to pack newly collected fruits into a large pot of leaf mould left outside over two winters, anything germinating being removed and potted up in the second spring (McAllister & Burston 1987). Where multiple embryos germinate (these authors report anything up to six seedlings from a single fruit) they can be separated and potted individually. This technique relies on sufficiently cold winters, and is not always effective in southern England (pers. comm. D. Joyce). A more controlled regime involves storing seeds packed in damp compost for 12–20 weeks at 15–20 °C; those with a radicle visible are then kept at about 4 °C for 12–16 weeks (Tree Seed Online Ltd 2018). Seedlings seem very intolerant of drought or waterlogging, and root growth is slow: Hugh McAllister (pers. comm.) finds results are best in a coarse peaty compost, in small but frequently watered pots. Despite these insights, germination remains somewhat unpredictable, and the mechanisms underlying dormancy are the subject of ongoing research."
From Trees and Shrubs Online

 

This was something I knew nothing about. It certainly seems to be a slow process when starting with seed, but I had a look around and found this info from Burncoose.
The method for helping with germination might be of interest!
Davidia - Growing Guide - Burncoose Nurseries

 

I have thrown avocado and mango stones on the compost heap and found seedlings growing from them. I have no idea how long the stones were on the heap for, at least 12 months, possibly 2 years. No heat, no care, just time.