[salix]

Kneeling down in my wood I can see lots of tree seedlings. these are usually growing in the wrong place and will die from overcrowding, lack of light and so on.
Can I tranplant these mostly tiny seedlings directly into the ground or should I pot them first.
If potting can I use a mix of sand and soil as I don't like using peat.

[medieval knievel]

you obviously have somewhere to transplant them to?
it's just part of the natural process, seedlings pop up and them die from lack of light or resources. i've lifted seedlings from woods before, but it's easier to collect seeds in the autumn and plant them than to move seedlings.

[salix]

never had much luck with seeds so thought I would take advantage of the head start but maybe I am too optimistic thinking most of these would grow on.

[medieval knievel]

you should have plenty of luck, considering you've a good source. i assume they're hard to spot at the moment without the leaves?

[frengers80]

hi,i would go for it,just planted up a beech hedge from sedlings growing in a flower bed-which came from mulch from a fallen beech tree a number of years ago so going full circle!!!

[medieval knievel]

beech hedging usually has its roots 'pruned' to give bushier growth.

[salix]

[posiedon]

i've managed to grow 3 apple tree plants, from a "pink lady" apple that i was eating and the seeds had begun germinating before i had eaten the apple. i planted them in a pots with some peat and they have taken.

What should i do next to groww them on. they all have a dozen leaves plus at the momonet

[michael brenock]

leave them in the pots if it is fertilized peat. Otherwise put them into a pot 10-12 inches diameter filled with a mixture of garden soil and compost. Try not to disturb the roots when repotting.
The resultant fruit from these seedlings may not resemble Pink lady.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)