Seed Propagation at the Arboretum

Rescheduled due to construction. New date TBD.

This is a members-only program. Not a member? Click here to join!

Many of us assume that growing plants from seed is as simple as opening a seed packet and sticking them in the dirt, but many of the trees and shrubs in the Arboretum’s collections require a complicated process of stratification, maceration, and dormancy breaking before they will sprout. Join Arboretum Propagator Sarah Shank for a workshop on growing these plants from seed and get a chance to try your own hand at germinating seed from Arboretum trees and shrubs.

The class will begin with a presentation on the biology of seed dormancy and germination, and then we will move into the hands-on portion where participants get experience preparing seeds from fruits and dry capsules, scarifying seeds with different dormancy types, and finally sowing some seeds to take home. We will round off the experience with a brief tour of the seed treatment facilities and seedling greenhouse.

All participants will go home with a tray of seeds they planted. We will be focusing on plants that can easily be grown in a front or backyard, so you don’t need to worry about finding a place for a 100-foot-tall tree!

Accessibility: This program takes place indoors in the wheelchair-accessible DGH classroom and outdoors on mowed grass.

Audience: This members-only program is geared towards adults.

Inclement weather policy: Participants will be notified via email at least one day in advance if a program needs to be cancelled due to inclement weather, and will be notified by phone if a program must be cancelled with less one day’s notice. Click here to view our full inclement weather policy. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email publicprograms@arnarb.harvard.edu (inbox monitored on weekdays) or call the Visitor Center desk between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209.