For centuries, the oak tree has been a symbol for strength. It’s amazing to think about how an ordinary acorn can grow into a strong, tall oak tree. It’s possible that you would like to plant one.
How to grow an oak tree out of an acorn.
- Gather your acorns
- Sow them in the soil about an inch below the surface.
- Keep the soil wet
- Keep the Acorns Safe
- Transfer seedling from a larger area
- Plan and plant in a permanent place
The average lifespan of oak trees is between 100 and 150 years.
Here are some simple steps that will help you get your oak trees growing from your acorns. For more information, please continue reading!
Can I Plant A Even Grown An Oak Tree From An Acorn?
You can actually grow a tree out of an acorn, believe it or not. It is easy to get acorns into oak trees. We will show you how to grow oak trees from an acorn.
You may have seen acorns with tiny roots sticking out of the shell, or seen a tiny oak seedling while hiking or in your mulch. Have you ever wondered what it takes for a tiny little acorn to become a huge oak tree?
How To Grow An Oak Tree From An Acorn
It is much easier than you think to grow an oak tree from an old acorn. This step-by-step guide will help you grow oak trees from an acorn if you’ve ever been amazed at the majestic oak trees.
1. Gather Acorns And Prepare Your Oak Tree
You can gather acorns from oak trees on your property.
Acorns should be collected in the same area where they will be grown. Acorns should be from local trees. You shouldn’t take them with you on vacation to a distant area. They may not thrive in that environment.
Mid-autumn is the best time to start looking for acorns. You will find most acorns around the oak tree on the ground. However, if they have been wiped out by other creatures, it is okay to collect them from the tree.
Make sure that the acorns are free of the caps when you remove them from the tree. If they are difficult to pick from the tree, or if the cap is attached to the acorns, it is not yet mature enough to plant.
Don’t wait too long to gather oak acorns. As autumn draws to a close, the days are getting closer to winter and you will be competing with squirrels, deer, and other animals who eat acorns. Acorns can dry out after they fall from the tree so you’ll want plump, new ones.
Avoid acorns that have tiny holes. Some insects, such as the acorn weevil, will drill into the acorns and eat or lay eggs within them.
Once you have collected your acorns and checked for viability, drop them in a bucket of water. The floaters are not good and should be thrown away. However, the ones that settle at the bottom will remain viable.
2. Store Your Acorns And Plan To Grow Your Oak Tree
If they are stored properly, they can be kept for up to four months. However, it is best to plant them sooner than later. You will need to keep them in a cool, moist place, away from direct sunlight. If you are unable to plant the acorns yet then a container with a moist potting mix or a bag that seals in the refrigerator is the best option.
You will need to keep an eye on your acorns while they are being stored. They could be sprouting from the bag depending on their species. You can plant them if this happens.
You will need to take the acorns out of storage and soak them for about one week. This will prevent them from drying out too much.
3. Stratify Your Acorns
Stratification refers to the production of an artificially cold season. Follow the instructions above. The process of stratification is required for any pin oak, or red oak acorns to grow.
Place the acorns in a container filled with moist soil. You can also place them outside, and let the winter do the rest. You should protect them from hungry animals that might mistakenly believe you are putting out a buffet. This will be covered in more detail later.
How Long Does it Take For An Acorn To Sprout?
You are now ready to plant your acorns. Now you need to find out how long it takes to see results. You may not see any signs of sprouting until it takes 4 to 6 weeks.
4. Begin Growing Your Oak Tree In A Pot Or Soil
Your oak tree acorns can be started in either soil or pots. We will begin with pots because there are many benefits to planting them in containers.
The pots will protect your oak acorns against pests such as squirrels or field mice who love fresh oak acorns.
Mix a quality potting or seed starting mixture, and place two oak acorns into a well-draining pint-sized container. In the event that one of them is not good, you can always add another. Place the acorns flat on their sides and not up and down.
You should water the soil, but don’t let it dry out. Roots need water but also need to breathe.
If the soil is dry to the touch, place your finger about an inch below the pot’s edge. Water the soil if it appears dry.
Move Your Planted Oak Tree Outside If Planted In A Pot
You will start to see seedlings in your pots after a few weeks. If your plants aren’t getting enough sun, you can move them outside to get some sunlight. After the danger of frost has passed and spring has begun, move your pots outside to allow them to get used to being outdoors.
It is a good idea to move your oak seedlings outdoors when there is no danger of frost. They get more sunlight than sitting on a windowsill and the night and day changes help strengthen them.
Keep them safe from animals.
What About Planting Oak Acorns Directly Outdoors?
Place the acorns about 1 inch below the soil. Water them and cover them with chicken wire or hardware fabric to protect them from squirrels and mice.
Squirrels love freshly turned soil. Squirrels, mice, and deer will seek out food in the fall months and particularly during winter when food is scarce.
Cover your oak tree with chicken wire, or hardware cloth fencing to prevent squirrels from eating the fall-planted nuts. When the acorns start to germinate, remove the fencing immediately.
You might not see any growth until spring if your oak acorns are sown outside. Oak acorns will grow a deep taproot in your ground within the first few months after being planted outdoors. Don’t be discouraged.
These steps will ensure that you have enough oak seedlings in no time if you follow them. Acorns can germinate quickly if you take the proper steps and take care of them.
When you see the acorns germinating in the spring, take out the chicken wire or protective mesh. This will prevent the metal from getting stuck in the oak seedlings’ leaves and trunks.
5. Repot Your Oak Tree When It’s 6 Inches Tall
You will need to repot your seedlings when they reach six inches in height. This will allow them to continue growing without becoming cramped.
Two-quart pots are required along with a mixture of potting soil and garden soil. Repotting oak seedlings is easy with a half-and-half mixture of potting soil and garden soil.
Add one teaspoon of slow-release fertilizer to the potting mixture and garden soil mixture if it does not contain any premixed fertilizer.
Keep your sapling in its pot for at least 3 years. Protect your sapling with a screen or tree mesh cover. Deer can still eat it quickly so make sure to protect it. Make sure to water the sapling when it is needed and follow the directions for any fertilizer.
This Voglund Nursery Meh Tree Bark Protector is one example of a protective mesh. You can choose from sizes between 12 and 48 inches, and it comes with zip ties for easy installation.
The oak should be planted in its permanent place if roots begin to emerge from the 2-quart container before the 3-year time period is up. Plant in the dormant season of autumn or early spring.
6. Plant Your Oak Tree In A Permanent Area
After you’ve chosen the spot, your little oak sapling will grow into a big oak tree. Dig a hole three times larger than the container.
Add organic matter, compost and/or garden soil to improve the soil’s quality. Place the sapling in the hole, keeping the soil at the same level as ground. Water your tree regularly.
After you have tamp the soil down and watered it well, mulch the tree to keep water around the roots. Mulch the tree 2 feet wide by 2-3 inches deep. Leave a 2-inch border around the trunk to prevent it from rotting.
Your little acorns are now saplings. If you don’t get regular rain, make sure to water them at least once per week. The soil around the root ball should be checked. It should be moist but not soggy.
Winter months are the best time to stop watering. Nature will do the watering.
Your oak tree will need less water after 2 years of being in its permanent home. You will eventually stop watering the tree as much. They will be accustomed to the climate and have a deep root system.
It can be difficult to know when and how to water a plant. These are tips and tricks that will help oak trees. 10 Tips for Watering an Oak Tree (How to Guide)
How Far Away From my House Should I Plant my Oak Tree?
Oak trees can grow to be tall and large, and their roots could cause foundation problems. It is a good rule of thumb to place your oak tree at least 15-20ft away from your home. This will allow the tree to grow freely and keep roots or falling branches from getting into your foundation.
You should not plant oak trees next to walkways, sidewalks, and driveways. Concrete, asphalt, and pavers can be cracked by roots.
For more information about oak trees and other tree species that can cause damage to your foundation with their roots, see 9 Trees that Can Damage Your Foundation (& how to Fix them).
How Long Does It Take An Oak Tree To Grow Acorns?
Here are some fun facts about oak trees. There are more than 600 varieties of oak trees, and all produce acorns. Oak trees can take some time to mature. Some oak trees may not begin producing acorns until they reach 20-30 years of age, while others may take as long as 50 years.
Oak trees can live for many years. Oak trees can live up to 1000 years.
Both humans and animals can benefit from oak trees. Acorns are a good food source for squirrels. Blue jays and mice also eat them. Oak wood can be used for furniture, flooring, tools, and even wine and whiskey barrels.
More information about squirrels and their love of acorns can be found in this article 4 Reasons why squirrels eat acorns (and their favorite type).
That’s A Wrap!
This is how you can grow an oak tree from an acorn. You can have oak trees on your own property with a little patience, and some work.
Make sure you gather your acorns and make sure they are healthy. Keep them safe from any little creatures. The hardest part about growing oak trees is protecting them from small nibblers.
Have fun growing!