Beech nuts were collected from nets (without ground contact), the bare mineral soil and the humus layer. After removing the pericarp, nuts with testa were kept on MEA. The most frequently isolated fungus was Apiognomonia errabunda. In seeds from nets this fungus was isolated at 84%, from mineral soil at 36% and from the humus layer at 11%. A reverse relationship was found for Rhizoctonia solani: In seeds from nets 0%, mineral soil 6%, humus layer 36%. Several Coelomycetes and Hyphomycetes were also isolated but showed no relation to the method of seed collection. The germination capacity of beech nuts was 94% from nets, 87% from mineral soil and 54% from the humus layer. After overwintering in moist sand the yield of healthy seedlings was 84% for seeds from nets, 67% from mineral soil and 20% from humus layer. To reach a high yield of healthy seedlings it is recommended to collect beech nuts with nets to avoid infection with rotting fungi like Rhizoctonia solani.
