Propagation
Seeds require moist stratification at 20ş C (68°) to 30ş C (86°F) for 28 to 60 days, followed by 80 to 90 days at 5ş C (41°F). Fresh green seeds have a higher germination rate than the hardened dry seeds and the green seeds will germinate the following spring.

Cuttings taken from mid to late spring up to 200 mm (8 in) long and a place in a media composed of perlite and peat moss.

After roots appear the cuttings require a dormancy period until spring when they should be pot up. Cuttings can be difficult and unreliable and cultivars are normally grafted onto seedling stock.


Botanic information
Leaf: The mid-green leaves are ovate to oblong with double serrated margins and the apex is acuminate. The petiole is 12mm (˝in) long and the upper surface has prominent parallel veins with a slightly quilted appearance. During autumn the leaves turn orange before falling.
The sharp pointed slender buds are imbricate and closely appressed and curl around the stem.

Flower: The female (Pistillate) flowers consist of perianth segments that are adnate to the ovary with 6-10 teeth along the top and a short style with a linear stigma. They are arranged in a greenish catkin up to 20mm (ľin) long at the tips of the growing shoots and accompanied with 3-lobed bracts.

The yellowish male (staminate) naked flowers have 3-15 stamens and arranged in a pendant catkin up to 100mm (4in)long appearing before the female flowers during spring.

Fruit: The yellow brown fruit is arranged in a pendant raceme up to 60mm (2˝in) long and are ribbed nutlets, accompanied by a leafy bract with 3-lobes. The small seeds are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.

Note
Requires little pruning. Remove dead or damaged wood; this should be carried out during autumn as the tree bleeds sap if pruned in spring to summer.