Note that the cap is not part of the acorn, but a (separate) protective covering. By removing the acorn from the cap you are not damaging it unless you tear the acorn itself. If possible, look for suitable trees in the summer. You’ll want mature trees whose acorns are easily-reached via ladder or with a long pole. Some oak varieties, like red oaks, have acorns that take two years to mature, rather than one. As you pick suitable trees in the summer, keep this in mind - the acorns on some oaks will be ready in the fall, while others won’t be ready until the following year.
An acorn may float because a worm or grub has burrowed into it, creating an air hole. Similarly, a fungus can make the acorn float. If, at any point, you notice that an acorn is soft to the touch, discard it as well. Soft, mushy acorns are rotten.
This process is known as stratification, which is simply exposing a seed to cold temperatures, mimicking the natural conditions that a seed would experience had it fallen to the ground. This primes the seed for sprouting in the spring. Periodically check on your acorns. The medium should be just barely moist. Too moist, and the acorns may rot. Too dry, and they may not grow.
Handle your seedlings with care - the emerging roots are easily damaged.
If using a styrofoam cup or milk carton, poke holes in the sides of the cup near the bottom so that water can escape. If you prefer, you can also try just burying the acorn in the yard. Bury the root in a shallow hole and gently tuck the acorn to one side on top of suitable rich, soft soil. This will only work if the taproot is already well established, long, and has detached adequately from the acorn. Be warned - this leaves the seedling vulnerable to mice, squirrels, etc. It’s best to wrap a cage around the seedling to protect it from animals.
If you live in the southern hemisphere, place your seedlings on a northern windowsill instead. If your seedling isn’t getting much sun, use a supplemental indoor grow light to provide more sunlight.
Are about four to six inches tall (10 - 15 cm), with small leaves. Have white, healthy-looking roots. Appear to be outgrowing their container. Have shown substantial taproot growth. Are a few weeks to several months old.
Make sure your seedlings are protected from the wind so they don’t blow over.
The availability of sunlight. Like all photosynthetic plants, oaks need sunlight to survive, so don’t plant them in shaded areas. The location of nearby sidewalks, water lines, buried pipes, etc. You don’t want to have to kill your tree if work needs to be done in your yard. The shading effect of the full-grown tree. If you would like your oak tree to eventually provide shade for your home, plant it to the west or southwest of your home to maximize the shading effect it will have in the summer, while minimizing its shade in the winter. [8] X Research source Note - in the southern hemisphere, the tree should be to the west or northwest side of your house to get the shading effect. Nearby vegetation. Plants compete with each other for sun, moisture, and other resources. Don’t plant your young oak right next to any substantial vegetation, or it may not reach maturity.
Pack soil around the oak seedling, sloping the soil away from the seedling so that water does not sit at the trunk of the tree, which can be damaging. Lay a circular ring of mulch about one foot (. 3 meters) around the tree to help the soil retain moisture and discourage the growth of weeds. Make sure it does not touch the stem of the tree. To increase the chances of a successful planting, you may want to place several acorns in the same area. In this case, plant young seedling acorns directly into the ground by clearing a 2x2 foot (61 cm x 61 cm) area and placing two acorns into that space, with one or two inches (2. 5 cm - 5 cm) of soil on top.
If you live in an area where deer are common, you may even want to consider caging the top of the tree. You may also want to use pesticides to protect your tree from a variety of pests, including aphids and June bugs. Use caution when selecting pesticides - only use ones that are not harmful to your oak tree or your family.
Remember not to allow water to collect around the base of the tree. [10] X Research source Arrange your irrigation system so that water drips around the tree, not directly onto its base, where it can cause rot.
Within 20 years, your oak may begin producing acorns of its own, though, depending on the species, optimal acorn growth may not occur for up to 50 years.
