Debbie,

Could it possibly be "damping-off"? Too moist soil conditions and poor air circulation likely cause.

jt

Are the seedlings outside? Planted direct?

Crickets do that to my seedlings every once in a while.Sometimes they chew the stem so they can eat the tops easier.
They seem to only like the new grown tops too.They never eat the more developed leaves.
They eat drying and dried pods too.

The seeds are planted in containers outside and germinate really well.No its not damping -off(i know what that is)its definetly being ate.I haven't seen any crickets though.Whatever it is it likes only the tops with leaves.Thanks.

Sounds like snails or slugs to me.

Im pretty sure a mouse ate few sprouts a couple years back. There was a mouse dropping and the leaves were bit off.

Lost 2 orange habs and a coast redwood that are difficult to germinate. Wanted to grow it for bonsai. =(