Abstract: Laboratory and greenhouse experiments were conducted in Athens, in order to investigate the germination behaviour of untreated seeds and seeds subjected to several pretreatments and subsequent emergence of the seedlings. In general, the speed and percentage of seed germination and seedling emergence were greatly increased by some treatments, including hot water immersion (especially for 4 min) immersion in sulphuric acid for 2 min and in water for 20 h, clearly confirming that there is a physical (seed coat) dormancy in this species, while untreated seeds (i.e., control) had relatively moderate germination and emergence percentages. On the contrary, very high temperatures and prolonged immersion in sulphuric acid were rather harmful for the germination and further emergence of M. arborea and therefore they have certainly to b avoided.