Growing trees from seed.Kentucky Coffeetree scarification and germination. Starting a bonsai forest.

Today we're talking about growing Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) from seed. I plan on doing this project as future Bonsai trees, possibly a forest, but these steps could apply to anyone who wants to grow one of these unique trees themselves. I walk through the process I used to scarify, germinate and grow these trees and I will also deal with some pests called aphids along the way. Kentucky Coffeetree seeds do not require stratification which is a period of cold dormancy before germination.

Kentucky Coffeetree has the largest leaves of any tree found in eastern North America. Kentucky Coffeetree has bipinnately compound leaves that can reach up 36" in length and 24" in width but the individual leaflets are only about 2" long. A bipinnately compound leaf is divided twice: each leaflet is subdivided into smaller leaflets.

Kentucky Coffeetree seed pods are toxic for people and pets. Avoid the dust when using mechanical scarification. It is possible to roast the seeds, which makes the seeds non-toxic, and make a coffee style drink. Let me know if you try it!

Kentucky Coffeetree seeds rarely germinate in nature and that is because they evolved in an environment where prehistoric mammals, such as giant sloths and mastodons would eat these tough pods and then digest and disperse the seeds. No such animals were available for the filming of this video so we had to find a different method. In order to germinate the seeds you need to scarify the seed coat so the seed can take up water. Kentucky Coffeetrees are dioecious mean it is gendered and seeds only come from female trees.

Instagram: @HerbandRootsGardening

More info:
https://www.arborday.org/trees/treegu...

http://www.life.illinois.edu/help/dig...

https://biodifferences.com/difference...

http://forestry.ohiodnr.gov/coffeetree

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/germina...

#germination #trees #bonsai