Hello,

What a fun project! To collect seed, pick up closed cones, or cones where the scales have not yet opened. Place the cones in a paper bad in a warm room and shake the bag each day. When the cones have dried enough to open up, the seeds will be heard moving around the bag when you shake it. 

Once you have the seeds from the cones, there are several options. One is to sow them in a baggie with vermiculite and place them into the refrigerator; another is to sow them directly into a container of soil then leave them outside in a protected location during the winter months. This article describes the options:

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/germinate-dawn-redwood-seeds-20985.html

Perhaps try a few seeds in each method listed? 

Good luck on your adventure! Dawn redwood is a beautiful tree. 

Enjoy,

Julie

On 08/23/2021 9:29 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:

 

 

Super cute little cones! If I didn't live on a sand box, I would try to grow some!!

Thank you,

Julie