10/6/2008
K-State Research & Extension News
SALINA, Kan. -- This fall's central U.S. acorn crop is a bumper. But, that´s no sure sign that free oak seedlings will soon be available for transplanting - unless, that is, humans lend a hand now.
    
Both tree- and ground-level wildlife love acorns, said Chip Miller, horticulturist with Kansas State University Research and Extension. These fans range from birds and squirrels to bears and deer.
    
"Besides, acorns don´t fall very far from their parent tree. That leaves them competing with their parent for light, water and nutrients -- which isn´t the best environment for germinating," Miller said.    
    
Bluejays and squirrels serve as acorns´ major dispersal and planting agents in the wild. Both of them hoard, as well as eat nuts, he said. Armed with a few facts, however, humans can be agents, too.
    
"The biggest surprise for many people is that these nuts are unlike most seeds because they must not dry out," Miller said. "If you collect some acorns and just leave them in a bag until you´re ready to plant a couple of weeks later, the embryo in the seeds will die
from desiccation. They will not germinate."
    
That´s why he recommends a two-step approach to collecting: Only pick up acorns that have been lying in the grass or under fallen leaves (i.e., remained damp). Put those acorns in a bucket of water. Then, keep the ones that are heavy enough to sink and dispose of those that float.
    
The floaters have already dried out or had a weevil eat away their seed inside, Miller said.
    
"Plant three to four of your `keeper´ acorns 2 inches deep where you want an oak tree to grow. If more than one germinates, you can thin out the weaker ones or dig up and transplant the extras," he said.
    
Acorns from white oaks (bur, post, white, chinkapin) will germinate and produce a root this fall, but their top won´t appear until spring. Acorns from red oaks (pin, red, black, blackjack, Shumard) need a cool, moist period to spur a process called stratification
before they can germinate in spring, Miller said.