I have this huge White Oak Tree in my backyard and I have always wanted to see what would happen if I took a few acorns and planted them. This is how I grew White Oak Saplings from acorns.
What is a White Oak Tree?
The White Oak Tree is a hardwood tree native to Eastern North America. It is scientifically known as the Quercus alba. It has an incredibly long life. The White Oak can grow to a height of 50 to 80 feet tall with a spread of 50 to 80 feet at maturity. This tree can grow anywhere from less than 12 inches to 24 inches each year. With its signature round tipped leaves, this tree is stunning when it is at maturity.
Taking the Acorns
On October 1st, 2022, I took acorns from a tree (around 15 acorns). They came off easily from their cap. This tells me that the acorns are viable, ready to be picked, and that they haven't been infected by worms (if they hit the ground).
Tip - If you put your acorns in a glass of water, see if they float. If an acorn floats, you should immediately discard the acorn as there is most likely a hole in it where a worm or a bug has gotten in.
Planting the Acorns
To be honest, I procrastinated a bit. After collecting the acorns, I waited a couple of days and left them sitting in a glass half filled with water. I was incredibly surprised to see that some of the acorns sprouted. I then planted the acorns on October 10th.
Growing the Acorns
As you are growing the acorns, make sure to place the acorns under grow lights. Having grown vegetables in years past, I already had some grow lights set up and immediately placed them there. A couple of the sources I found said to have them on a timer for 13 hours a day. I made sure that the acorns were well watered, and checked on their progress every day.
Trees Sprouting
Out of the 15 acorns I picked, 8 made it into pots and only 2 sprouted into a tree. I tried my best to mimic the natural environment of my area during spring. If one mature White Oak tree produces 10,000 acorns in a year, more than 1300 saplings could be produced. Unfortunately, due to pests like Borers (beetle or moth larvae that develop under the bark of trees), deer, and deforestation, the white oak population is decreasing.
Final Comments
Over the past few months, I have had so much fun growing these. This experience has not only been entertaining, but also educational. These trees will provide food and shelter for hundreds of animals for years to come.