Sweet Chestnut

Another tree from seed question. I've collected some Sweet Chestnut seeds but they all float in water, wont they be any good? Thank you.

 

Make sure there is not an air pocket underneath the brown skin, they shouldn't need too much of a pre soak before sowing

 

Don't know to be honest, some seed are designed to float.
Cut one open and if it has the white edible part inside its probably a good seed, sometimes you do get those thin hollow ones which will be no use.

 

I'd just plant them in a corner of the garden or a largish pot until next May June and see what happens. If you are lucky one or two will germinate, if unlucky they'll all germinate and you'll have loads to get rid of.

 

Thanks for your replies. I've sown some in cells to see what happens.

 

I'd go for deep pots, these kind of trees often like to put down big roots from the start they wont like cells unless they are pretty big ones.

 

If you plant some in a container with a lid, such as a biscuit tin, containing damp compost and leafmould, placing the chestnuts just upon the surface, you can watch (check weekly!) for the emerging 'radicle' appear from the split case. Plant deeper in litre sized pots, grown on and coppice after 15 years.