Planting Acorns
Planting Acorns to Grow Mighty Oaks
Why would you choose planting acorns as a way to try to grow an oak tree? Oak trees can be grown from seedlings as well, but transplanting them can result in root damage and sometimes you can avoid these problems by planting acorns directly. Seedlings will need more care until they are planted, and acorns are available for free, so there is another reason to start oaks that way.
There are advantages to planting acorns at your planting site, and to understand them, you need to understand how acorns actually become seedlings. The root and shoot both will emerge from the acorn’s pointed end. You will notice the roots as they begin to emerge, in November or December. The root uses the winter to grow deeper into the soil. In some varieties of oaks, the roots may have advanced three feet down into the soil before the seedling emerges in the spring. This will usually occur between mid-March and late June.
Collecting acorns should be done in your own area, so that the type of oak you’ll be growing grows well in your climate. In this way, your seedlings will be well-adapted to the area where they will be growing. If you are planting a number of oaks, collect acorns from different trees of the same species. That way, in case one of the trees you’re harvesting from has a disease or insect damage, you won’t be passing that on to all your seedlings.
It’s better to remove acorns from trees than to pick them from the ground, since those on the ground are more likely to have insects on them or in them. Acorns can be picked when they are still a bit green, but they quickly turn brown when stored.
Acorns aren’t always viable to use for growing trees. There are insect groups that lay their eggs on acorns, and their larvae eat inside the acorn. Also, acorns that are cracked, lightweight or shriveled should not be used as planting acorns. You may find some mold on the acorns, but this is not usually an issue.
You can plant your acorns as soon as you collect them, since their quality is affected if they are put in storage. Acorns that are planted early often show better growth and a higher level of survival. Make sure that the area is easy to keep moist.
Get the acorn planting area prepared by turning the soil over with a shovel, down to ten inches below ground level. Break up clumps of dirt if you find any. Plant three or four acorns in each site, and space the next group about seven inches away. This will help keep the seedlings from becoming overcrowded.
Mulch your planting site to help discourage weeds growing, and make sure the soil stays relatively moist but not over-watered. Then sit back, and watch your seedlings mature over the years into mighty oak trees.