David, I am no expert on growing oaks from acorns. However, I have observed that most large oaks produce a great acorn crop. Multitudes of these, in a suitable environment, germinate and produce seedlings. Given that, if I were interested in growing oaks from acorns, I would gather large numbers of acorns, and attempt to propagate them under a range of conditions in both pots and greenhouse flats. Now, transplantation might be different.
I would also contact native plant nurseries in the areas where I was interested in producing oaks. Most parts of the country have them. I know that "Sunshine Nursery" in Clinton, Oklahoma produces native oaks for transplantation to restoration projects, parks, and private properties. Steve Bierback, the owner mentioned to me on one occasion that he gathered litter and soil from under the parent tree when he gathered acorns, so that he would propagate the appropriate myccorhyzae with the seedlings. I have several post oaks and black jacks that I purchased as saplings from Sunshine Nursery on my property, so the owner's methods must work. These two native oaks, though abundant in the wild, have been claimed by some nurserymen to be impossible to propagate. Vines, Robert A., _Trees and Shrubs of the Southwest_, University of Texas Press, Austin, 1960, gives propagation directions for hundreds of native woody plants that grow in the southwestern U.S. Perhaps methods he gives for oaks could be adapted to your oaks, especially related ones to those he describes. Be sure to check under "Remarks" in his species descriptions as well as "Propagation," since he sometimes includes planting instructions under either heading. Storage overwinter in cool temperatures, and stratification at cool temperatures are both included for various acorns, according to Vines. Whether one propagates woody plants or not, Vines is a great book to have around. david mcneely ---- David L Anderson <davidlander...@boisestate.edu> wrote: > Hello, > > I'd like to talk with someone who is expert at growing oaks from acorns. If > you are that person or know of someone, my contact information is below, as > are my interests and questions. > > Thanks, > > David > > I am interested in growing oaks from acorns collected from the "heritage" > trees of Boise, Idaho. I refer to heritage trees as those trees of > outstanding character and community value, usually of great age or beauty or > serving as a landmark for sites of interest. My questions regard how best > to propagate oaks from acorns. > > How do I know if an acorn is good or bad? Because it is green/brown, or > floats/sinks when immersed in water? > > Is it better to overwinter acorns in a fridge/freezer in paper/plastic > bags? Is it better to transplant them directly into potting/native/mixed > soil? Better to plant in the fall or spring? In soil that is wet/dry/left > to natural conditions? Should acorns be sprouted first in wet sawdust? > > Or other advice you think would be helpful. Thanks in advance from the > future heritage oaks of Boise. > > -- > *David L. Anderson**, Ph.D.* > *Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences* > > Boise State University > 1910 University Drive > Boise, ID 83725 > 208-426-3216 > davidlander...@boisestate.edu -- David McNeely
