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Collection and Care of Sycamore Seed

Collection dates for sycamore seed will vary somewhat from season to season and from locality to locality. In the vicinity of Brunswick, Ga., seed has been gathered from November 15 through December. It is advisable to plan seed collection in advance of gathering time. Select good trees and check them occasionally until the seed is ripe enough to gather. Sycamore seed are enclosed in round fruit heads which are borne singly on slender stems 3 to 6 inches long. They usually stay on the tree during part of the winter and are very conspicuous after leaf fall. These fruit heads when collected should be spread in racks to dry for about one week or until the fruit heads will pulverize easily when mashed. Pulverize the fruit heads and rub them over 1/4-inch hardware cloth. Place a fan under the hardware cloth to carry lint away. The seed will drop to the floor. Rerun the seed two or three times and it will be clean enough to store. Caution: While cleaning sycamore seed one should wear a dust mask to prevent inhaling a fine dust which is very dangerous to lungs, nose, and throat.


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Author(s): Frank Vande Linde

Publication: Tree Planters' Notes - Issue 54 (1962)