Processing and Storing Ash Seed
Collected ash seeds must be processed so they do not become vulnerable to insects, fungi, or rot. Once they’re processed, you can either propagate these seeds in your backyard (see Growing Ash From Seed) or send the seeds into cold storage. If seeds are kept in cold storage, it is predicted that ash seed can remain viable for up to several decades.
There are 3 different locations we suggest sending processed seed for cold storage. Each facility has different requirements for level of processing, how the seed can be requested and used, and how much seed you collect. The flowchart to the right can help you determine which facility is right for your seed.
Data Sheets
To send seed to any of these locations, you are required to fill out a data sheet (see flowchart to determine the data sheet for your location). There are two different collection sheets depending on where you plan to send the seed you collect. Please find links to PDFs of the data sheets here:
If you have questions about terminology used in these data sheets, please refer to the appendix of the Ash Seed Collection Manual for a list of definitions.
What are the requirements of each seed storage location, and what will seeds in these locations be used for?
How do you process seeds before sending them into storage?
Simple cleaning
Required for University of Maine and USDA ARS Facility Iowa
Remove seeds from the bag and spread them out on a table or in a cool room. Remove all samaras (shown below) from their twigs, and dispose of any samaras with insect damage or mold, as well as woody debris, like larger sticks, twigs, leaves, grass or anything other than samaras that may have gotten into the bag in the field. Leaving leaves in the bag can increase the moisture content of the samaras while the seeds are being transported. If the samaras are wet, leave them out to dry before putting them back into the paper bags.
Complete sorting and cleaning of seeds
Required for submission to the USDA ARS Colorado “Black Box”
This process prepares seed to go directly into cold storage. The instructions provided for the submission of seed to this facility can be found in the Appendix section of the Ash Seed Collection Manual, titled “Recommendations for the collections, storage, and germination of ash (Fraxinus spp.) seed” (Ellis, 2006). This section outlines sort and test seed for viability before sending to the facility.
How can you ship or drop off ash seed?
As with packaging seeds, each facility that seeds are shipped to has specific criteria for shipping. Ground transportation shipping is recommended, as shipping via airline can affect the moisture content of the seeds. Please see the table below for more details.
Seeds can be brought in person to the University of Maine in person to Nutting Hall and the School of Forest Resources administrative office. Materials must be in paper bags with a completed datasheet stapled to each bag with information about who collected and dropped off the seed, and what level of processing the seed has undergone. Please contact John Daigle, PhD via email, jdaigle@maine.edu, to let the team know you have left seed and to set up an appointment if you are dropping off many bags of seed.
