Planting an oak tree

[okarol]

So I have had these acorn sitting on my desk that I collected from the Huntington Library. They say that the parent oaks were started over 50 years ago from acorns gathered in Sherwood Forest. I believe they are English Oaks, but I am not sure. Anyway, I think I might have left these acorns out for too long because they float when I put them in water, which can be a sign that they aren't good to plant.Maybe they have dried out? Does anyone have any experience planting acorns? Maybe I will go back and see if I can pick up more acorns under the tree, if there are any left. I have read that you should plant some types of oaks right away, while others you should winter over the acorns in the refrigerator and plant them in the spring. I am so confused.

[kitkatz]

Would you say the nut does not fall far from the tree? 

[Sluff]

I agree, your confused and so am I.

[okarol]

Gee thanks for you help! 
I got some new acorns today at the library. They don't float, so I guess I will try planting them.

[pelagia]

I believe that like flower bulbs most oaks (all?) need a period of cold dormancy.  Try this link:
http://www.wildbirds.org/oaks/oaks.htm

[okarol]

That's perfect! THANKS!

[Rerun]

The Mighty Oak was once a little nut!

[Sunny]

What did the acorn say when he grew up?
Ge-om-e-try.

[twirl]

be careful how big those trees grew
they might come out and land on your house

[okarol]

Those acorns have been in my refrigerator for almost 6 months. A few have started to sprout. I just planted six of them, 3 in my yard and 3 in styrofoam cups. Wish me luck. Hopefully I will have one of these someday (this is the tree I took the acorns from.)

Big oak at Huntington Library

[glitter]

Thats a beautiful tree- did the nuts sprout in the refigerator?

[okarol]

Thats a beautiful tree- did the nuts sprout in the refigerator?

Yes, I had 12 acorns and about 1/2 had varying degrees of a tap toot showing (1/16th inch to 1/4 inch in length) and the sprouting had just begun (while refrigerated.)
My refrigerator must be a little warmer than 36 degrees F.
The instructions said:
Put acorns in a plastic bag with an equal amount of leaf mold or peat mix and barley dampen. Close the bag loosely and store in the refrigerator at between 32 to 35 degrees (white oaks will continue to sprout at between 36 and 39 degrees). Check acorns throughout the winter and keep just barely damp. Acorns need about 1000 hours of low temperature dormancy.
I kept the remaining acorns in the fridge, the ones that hadn't sprouted, just in case none of these others grow.

[Rerun]

If you have questions ask your UC Extension Agent.  Best of luck.  I tried this with Blue Spruce cones and it didn't work for me.

[okarol]

Planted. Hope they grow!

[pelagia]

Beautiful tree.  Hope those acorns grow tall and strong for you Karol.

[okarol]

I have one new sprout! 

[willieandwinnie]

  That is great okarol. Hope it grows strong and straight. 

[Wattle]

Grow little tree grow......   

[kitkatz]

They say the acorn does not fall far from the tree. Go little sprout!

[Joe Paul]

How cute! That little sprout is like an ultrasound of sorts 

[David13]

Go, sprout, go!   

Let's hope Rocky doesn't eat it. . .   

[kitkatz]

Can we say Go Nut Go!?!

[rose1999]

Karol this reminds me of the oak tree we planted where we scattered Barry's ashes.  He was a country boy and liked nothing more than to be in the fields when he got chance - walking Molly our springer whatever the weather - so we scattered his ashes there and planted a tree, a good old english oak, it was nothing more than a tiny twig, about the size of a pencil.  5 years later it is around 3 to 4 feet high with lovely leaves (well not just now but they will be back soon).  So you have to be patient 

I hope you are around to see yours grow into huge 50' high trees!!
Rose

[glitter]

this is such a nice thread....hope in a baby tree.