How to Plant a Kousa Seed

Collect or purchase kousa dogwood seeds in late summer or early fall. Place them in a perforated plastic bag surrounded by moist peat moss. Set the bag in the refrigerator for two to three months to stratify the seeds before planting in mid to late fall. If it's too late in the year to adequately chill and plant the seeds before the ground freezes, store them at room temperature in the moist peat moss until the following summer. At that time, move the bag to the fridge for two to three months and plant them in the fall.

Prepare a spot in full sun or partial shade to plant your kousa dogwood seeds. Till the soil 6 to 8 inches deep and work in 2 to 3 inches of peat moss, compost or other organic matter to create a rich, well-draining soil bed for the kousa dogwood.

Sow kousa dogwood seeds just under the soil. Plant five or six seeds together about 1 inch apart to ensure that one grows. You can pull extra seedlings later, if necessary. If you're growing more than one tree, plant groups of seeds about 10 feet apart.

Cover seeds with 2 to 3 inches of mulch such as shredded bark or leaves. Water in the seeds with 1/2 inch of water. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. After the ground freezes, don't water until spring. The seeds should germinate when temperatures begin to reach 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit.