From Nuts to trees, how do you plant 'em?

[Adjam5]

Well... I was putting away my hunting clothes and I noticed a pocket full of acorns. I have picked up in the woods many large acorns from White oaks and Sawtooth oaks while hunting and put them in my pocket hoping to plant them one day.

How do you store acorns or any nuts for that matter for future planting? Just as you would any other seeds? In the dark and kept cool, until ready to plant?

I'd like to grow some mighty oaks of my own, any input appreciated.

[dogdoc]

plant the sawtooths--the regular white oaks take up to 30 years before they produce nuts. The sawtooths take 5 to 7 years. Here is how I did it with great success. I took the acorns and wrapped them in a damp paper towel. I then put them in the vegetable/fruit area in the fridge. Left them there for one month. After the month I planted them in a mix of top soil and potting soil in a styrofoam cup. They germinated in about 2 to 3 weeks. After they were about 6" tall i transplanted them into some medium flower pots. In the spring then transplant them on your property. I never got to transplant them as my dog ate them in the yard:(

[Adjam5]

What time of year did this take place Doc?

Should I do that for the spring?

Leave them in the fridge til March?

Would they germinate in the winter, indoors?

How should I store them until they are ready to plant?

Thanks Sorry soo many questions.

[dogdoc]

i stored them in the fridge during January and planted them in the cup in February. The will germinate inside. You can replant them outside in the spring or even keep them in larger containers for their first year.

[Adjam5]

Thanks Doc!

[Tominator]

Yep, just what Todd said. Acorns require a cold spell before they germinate. I have a buddy that propogates oaks and gets them to the "whip" stage, then sells them for $20 a piece. You should see him in October and November. He actually takes a day or two off work driving around sweeping up acorns.

BTW--I have a few burr oaks, which is very close to a white oak, that have produced acorns in less than 10 years, so plant those whites too, you never know. On top of that, most people mis-identify acorns. Some oaks are very difficult to tell species by the acorn alone. Make sure you look at the leaves, bundle scars, buds, twigs, acorn cups, etc. There are tons of oak species out there.

[Adjam5]

Thanks Guys.