Question
I have a 40 yr old redwood and the cones fall full of seeds. Can a tree be started from them. Do they need to be chilled first?

Answer
HI Jim,
Thanx for your question.  You should be able to germinate the seeds of the redwood tree.  Place the seeds in a damp paper towel and seal inside a plastic baggie.  Place the baggie in the refrigerator (not the freezer) and leave them in there for about 90 days.  After that, take them out of the refrigerator and out of the baggie and plant them about a half inch in soil in a pot and keep moist but not soggy.  The seedlings should begin emerging after 3 or 4 weeks but it could be sporadic.  If nothing fails to germinate after 3 months.  Seal the pot in a plastic bag and put it back in the fridge for another 3 months (sometimes the seeds require multiple cold/warm periods to break dormancy).  And repeat the process.  You can also plant the seeds in a pot and leave the pot outdoors for the winter making sure it is watered periodically to keep it from drying out.  I hope this helps.
Tom