Question
QUESTION: I am a mail carrier in southern maine and was told by a replacement carrier that did my route when I was absent one day that there was a copper beech tree next to a house that I've been delivering for 8 years. I did  not realize how rare  and expensive these trees are in this area. She wanted me to get some pods for her when they fall off. After building my house last October I started researching what trees to plant on our landscape because we have heavy clay and lots of all day sun.
I have 2 questions I grabbed a half dozen pods from the ground and wasn't sure to plant the whole pod in the pot, or separate the seed from the pod and plant. I ended up doing both to see if any will germinate. I did the natural method by simply putting seed a half inch deep in some tree and shrub potting soil and watering.
My next question will a copper beech even grow in my soil conditions in the future.

ANSWER: Hi James,
Thanx for your question.  There are two triangular shaped seeds in each pod and you can take them out of the pod and plant them. Sometimes the pod will be a deterrant to germination if it is protecting the seeds from dampness.  The seed requires about 90 days of exposure to temperatures below 40F and some dampness to break dormancy and germinate.  Your seeds should germinate next spring after the last frost.  The copper beech doesn't particularly care for clay soil but if you keep amending it around the seedling with cow manure, grass clipping, leaf mould, etc., it should survive and do fine.  They do like your climate as historically they are from Northern Europe.  Good luck and I hope this helps.
Tom

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QUESTION: Thanx Tom for getting back to me so quickly!  
I plan on keeping them in small pots till the root gets established and I can control dampness and put them in a little morning sun and heat. and put them in the garage when it rains and keep them in garage the whole long winter were temps should be below 40 in Jan, FEB, Mar most of the time. Will this idea work or should I just put them in a spot permantely   in  the ground with some organic compost mixed with soil.

Answer
Hi James,
Thanx for the additional information. Because the seedlings will be dormant during the winter, I think keeping them in the garage will be fine.  Don't let the soil dry out completely.  You'll have to water them periodically as though they were outdoors getting rain and snow.  I hope this helps.
Tom