Question
As sometimes you find volunteer mountain ash trees growning in your garden can I take the fruit and do my own propagation from that seed?  Someone said that the only way you get those are from the bird droppings and that you cannot get the seeds to grow any other way...Thank you

Answer
Hi Marcie,
Thanx for your question.  I have heard and read that certain tree seeds or berry seeds require being ingested by a bird or other animal and then travel through the digestive system of the animal or bird.  The acids and enzymes in the animal's or bird's system acts on the seed coat to initiate germination.  However, I have also read that it is not necessary for certain species but germination could take longer because of the lack of chemical action.  Soak the seeds for 24 hours in lukewarm water.  Plant in a pot 1/8 inch deep of moist but not soggy potting soil.  Seal inside a plastic baggie and put in the fridge for 120 days.  After that, remove the pot from the fridge and place in a warm area.  Give the seeds up to 6 weeks to emerge.  You can also plant directly outdoors in a seed bed in the fall and germination will occur the following spring.  I hope this helps.
Tom