Question
You mentioned getting seeds from non hybrid cypress trees. How do you know which is a hybrid and which is not?  Also I would like to have those instructions for the seeds. thanks, Jim

Answer
Hi Jim,
Thanx for your question. Because I am not a tree expert, I would have no way of identifying a cypress tree as to whether it is a hybrid or not.  I'm sorry.  You might ask Jim Hyland, our tree expert here on All Experts. He is over on the Trees forum. He may be able to tell you how to do that.

As for germinating the seed?  Take fresh seed and wrap them up in a damp paper towel.  Seal inside a plastic baggie and place in the fridge for 60-90 days.  Most trees that grow in temperate areas require a cold period to break dormancy.  The seeds are dormant to prevent them from germinating at the wrong time.  So, once the tree bears seed, in the late summer or fall, the seed is dormant, falls to the ground or is carried away by animals, streams, wind, etc. and it ends up on the ground to be covered with snow.  During the winter seed lies dormant in the cold and damp and then in the spring, the warm weather activates hormones which tell the seed embryo it is time to grow and germinate.  There are some shrubs and trees that required several periods of alternating cold and warm in order to break dormancy. Ok, with that said, after you have provided an artificial cold period, plant the seeds in separate pots and lightly cover with soil.  Keep moist but not soggy.  Germination will occur sporadically over several months.  Some conifers have low germination rates.  I'm not sure about Italian cypress but I've read as low as 50% so I hope you have fifty seeds or so.  If you only have 10 seeds expect 3-5 to germinate.  After the seedlings are large enough to handle, place them outdoors after the last frost, in the shade for 10 days to acclimate and then they can be planted in the desired areas of full sun.  I hope this helps.

Tom