Growing Oak Trees from Acorns, Milford Family Begins Project
Healthy, just-dropped acorns are ideal for planting. Place the uncracked acorn in a mixture of ½ peat and ½ loose barley in a clear plastic, sealable bag. Keeping the bag damp but not wet, store it int he refrigerator, potting it in early spring.
A family in Milford recently asked about growing an oak tree from an acorn. It may sound like a child’s school project, but acorns are actually a great way to grow oak trees.
Collect Acorns in the Fall and Store Through the Winter
Late fall is the perfect time to collect acorns. When choosing those to plant, look for freshly dropped acorns that are plump with their caps still intact. Discard any that are split, cracked, or worm-infested. Place the acorns to be planted in a sealable, clear storage bag combined with a mixture of equal parts peat and loose barely. The bag should not be more than half full when sealed. Store the bag in the refrigerator through the winter. Over time you will see the acorns split and white sprouts will begin to appear.
In Spring, Let the Potting Begin
In early spring your acorn sprouts are ready for potting. Plant them in individual pots with potting soil. The acorn should be placed 1 ½ inches deep into the soil. Water the plant regularly, keeping the soil moist, and in an indoor area where it will get plenty of sun.
The trees can be kept in pots forever, or you may choose to relocate them outside. Before transplanting the tree outside, slowly introduce it to colder weather by moving it to a porch or a sunroom. If transplanting, be sure to do so before fall when frost can damage the young tree.
The Milford family is excited to try their hand at growing an oak tree from an acorn and looks forward to transplanting the tree to their yard next spring.
