The Tree Life Box™ contains a selection of tree seeds and their mycorrhizal fungal partners that have the potential to grow into a forest ecosystem. It is up to you to begin the growth process of the carbon sequestering trees contained in your Tree Life Box™ panel. 

How do I plant the Tree Life Box™?

You have two options for getting started:

Option 1: To start growing your Tree Life Box™
in late winter through early spring (February–April)

1) Tear your Tree Life Box™  into large pieces so it will fit inside a plastic bag. Soak your torn up pieces of the Tree Life Box™ in cold water for 10 minutes, and then drain.

2) Place the torn up moistened pieces of the Tree Life Box™ into a plastic bag, store in your refrigerator for 6–12 weeks. Label the bag with the date of initiation and mark your calendar! Many seeds are stimulated into germination after being moistened and subjected to a period of near-freezing temperatures. This is known as "stratification".

3) After the seeds have been stratified and your soil temperature outside is around 50–60° you are ready to plant your Tree Life Box™. Create a soil mix using 80% moisture retaining organic material (such as peat moss, decomposed leaf litter, decomposed hardwood bark, coconut coir, or peat alternative) and 20% coarse particle material (perlite, vermiculite, washed sand, or grit). If you are using peat moss or coconut coir, you will need to wet it thoroughly before planting.

4) Place 2–3 inches of soil mix into a seed tray with drainage holes. Peel apart each piece of your Tree Life Box™ longitudinally, to expose the center (this is where the seeds are). Cover the surface of the soil with your Tree Life Box™  pieces, with the centers facing up. Cover the panels with 1/8 inch of soil mix. Water or mist until thoroughly wet. Leave outside in a permanently shady place or against a north-facing wall. Ideally, soil temperatures in the 50–65° F range are best for stimulating tree seed germination.

5) Water once to twice a week, or as needed to ensure that the soil stays moist. It is important to keep it moist during this early stage. You can set it near a sprinkler or get a 1 gallon milk jug, put a pin prick at the base and fill with water. Place your mini irrigation system next to your box so it is kept moist by a slow drip leaking from the jug, fill regularly.

Germinating seeds happily beginning their symbiosis with hyphae of mycorrhizal fungi inside the Life Box™.

6) Trees will begin to emerge in about two months from planting, depending upon temperatures. Upon germination (even before you see the trees sprout from the dirt), the seedlings will have created a symbiotic relationship with the mycorrhizal fungi embedded in the Life Box™.

7) The flat(s) of seedlings can be left outside to overwinter naturally for their first winter as sprouted trees. Seedlings of species that are appropriate for growing in your area will survive your winter temperatures. Mulching the base of seedlings with 1-2 inches of straw or woodchips will help them survive colder than average temperatures for your area. Overwintering outside will also enable germination (during the following spring/summer) of any seeds that did not receive a cold enough or long enough stratification period prior to planting.

8) After 1 year from germination, the young trees can be planted in individual pots, using the same soil mixture described in step 3 above. Be careful to separate the young seedlings very gently, taking care to disturb the roots as little as possible.

9) After 1 year in the pots (2 years from germination) you should plant the trees in the ground, in the location where they will permanently reside. (See "Planting your Tree Seedlings" for further instructions [coming soon])

Option 2: To let nature take its course
and naturally start your Tree Life Box™ (October–January)

(Note: We highly recommend planting your Tree Life Box™ in a seed tray with potting mix and then placing outside, for more accurate control of moisture, and optimum results)

1) Store your Tree Life Box™ in a cool dry location until fall through early winter in your climate.

2) Find a semi-shady spot on the ground that is not extremely dry in the summer, nor extremely wet in the winter/spring. Clear a 3 x 3 foot area on the ground and expose the soil.

3) Tear your Tree Life Box™  into approximately 6”x6” squares and soak in cold water for one hour.

4) Remove your Tree Life Box™  pieces from the water and peel each piece apart longitudinally to expose the center (this is where the seeds are).  Place your Tree Life Box™ in direct contact with the soil, with the centers facing up. Cover lightly with 1/4 inch of fine soil. You should use potting soil to cover your Tree Life Box™ if the ground is frozen in your area.  When planting your Life Box in the ground, keeping the soil constantly moist is very important for success.

5) As an alternative to planting in the ground, we highly recommend planting your Tree Life Box™ using the soil mix described in step 3 of planting option 1 (above), and following step 4 of planting option 1 for planting your Tree Life Box™ in a seed tray with drainage holes. The seed tray with your planted Tree Life Box™ can then be put outside to overwinter and stratify naturally. After one year, follow steps 8 and 9 in planting option 1 for repotting your trees. Keeping your trees in pots will also make transplanting your trees easier.

6) Water your Tree Life Box™. It is important to keep it moist during this early stage. You can set it near a sprinkler or get a 1 gallon milk jug, put a pin prick at the base and fill with water. Place your mini irrigation system next to your box so it is kept moist by a slow drip leaking from the jug. Refill regularly. If freezing temperature have begun, thoroughly wet your planting area or tray, and let freeze for the winter.

7) Make sure to keep the area where your Tree Life Box™ is planted free of competing weeds and grasses. Weed very carefully so as not to disturb the seeds you planted.

8) Once winter rains, snow or freezing temperatures occur in your area, you can let nature take over helping the seeds stratify (prepare for germination) naturally over winter.

9) Typically, seeds will sprout in the late spring to early fall.

10) Seedlings can be left in the ground for the first 2–3 years, if spaced far enough from each other (at least 12 inches). After one year, if seedlings are spaced closer than 12 inches apart, you should uproot and transplant the seedlings so they are spaced far enough for adequate growth.

11) To transplant: When the trees are dormant (ideally in late winter to mid-spring, before bud-burst but after the soil is workable) carefully dig up seedlings, leaving plenty of soil intact around the seedling’s roots so as not to disturb them. An easy way to figure out how much dirt you should leave intact all the way around the root ball is to measure the diameter of the stem of the tree and multiply it by 20. Choose a day that is not windy, hot or dry. Ideally, cool, moist days are best for transplanting your trees.

12) Transplant seedlings to their permanent place (see "Planting your Tree Seedlings" section [coming soon]) or move far enough away (about 12 inches) from other seedlings so that they have enough room to flourish.

13) If not transplanted to their permanent homes, after 2–3 years of growth the seedlings should be moved to the places they will permanently reside (see "Planting your Tree Seedlings" section [coming soon]). Trees should be spaced accordingly depending on species when planted in their permanent homes (see "Tree Seedling Spacing" section [coming soon]). To identify your tree seedlings, please see the "Tree Life Box™ seedling ID Guide" (coming soon), which will help you identify what species of trees you have so you can plan accordingly.