Question
Hi,
My daughter collected what I think are the seeds for an ash tree growing by a creek by our house.  (They are the clusters that hang on the tree).  How do I go about caring and planting these?
Thank you so much for your time!
Audrey

Answer
Hi Audrey,
Thanx for your question.  The seeds will be found in the sprays (clusters) hanging from the tree.  They are somewhat elongated and brown.  If the seeds are green and planted now, they may germinate next spring or even during the current season, otherwise, the seed tend to be deeply dormant.  What this means is that is will take at least two cycles of warm/cold periods.  Here's how it works.  In Nature, the seed falls to the ground in the fall and experiences the cold winter conditions.  It warms up in the spring and summer and starts to cool off in the subsequent fall.  The seed experiences a second cold period and subsequently, in the next spring (the second spring) the seed should germinate.  This happens because there are hormones in the seed that control when it will germinate.  There are a number of natural reasons for this including the prevention of germination of seeds at inappropriate times.  You can duplicate this process and reduce the time for germination by planting seeds about 1/2 inch deep in good, moist potting soil in a pot that can be sealed inside a plastic baggie and stored in the fridge for 90 days.  After 90 days (not the freezer), remove the pot to warm temperatures (70-75 degrees F) for another 90 days.  After that, return the pot to the fridge for another 90 days.  After that, the seeds should begin to germinate.  Otherwise, plants the seeds in pots and leave outdoors for two years making sure that the pot is not allowed to get bone dry.  I hope this helps.
tom