How to Plant an Acorn and Grow an Oak Tree

From collecting acorns to transplanting the sapling

Small oak tree sapling next to large acorn inside small pot

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 1 hr
  • Total Time: 47 wks, 1 day - 52 wks, 1 day
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $10 or less

If your yard is littered with acorns, you might want to capture a few and sprout an oak tree from seed. Oak trees are not only stunning, but are drought-tolerant native trees that boasts many benefits for the tree's environment and surrounding wildlife. If you have the space, planting a native oak tree in your yard is one of the best things you can do for wildlife. Growing an oak from acorns collected nearby lets you know the tree is well-adapted to local growing conditions, meaning it will likely thrive after being planted as a sapling. 

Though it may seem intimidating, it is possible to grow a new tree from an acorn. Read on to discover the best methods for collecting acorns and how to grow a sapling from seed.

Tip

Starting an oak from an acorn should be done outdoors, either in a seedbed or pot. Pots give you better control over the growing process making it easier to protect the acorns and young seedlings from critters.

When and How to Collect Acorns

When you are on the lookout for acorns, keep in mind that acorn production varies by oak species and depends on the weather, nutrient availability, and insects feeding on acorns. While most oak species produce an acorn crop every two or three years, white oaks (Quercus alba) produce a an acorn crop only every four to six years.

The acorns of some acorn species—white oak, live oak (Quercus virginiana), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), and bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa)—mature in one year, while for other oaks—red oak (Quercus rubra) and pin oak (Quercus palustris)—it takes two years.

Only collect acorns that have fallen from the tree; these acorns are mature. Skip the first ones that drop, as they are often of poor quality. Collect them once the tree drops a lot of acorns and do it promptly because acorns dry out quickly and become inviable. Remember, you're competing with squirrels, deer, and other wildlife; if you wait too long, there might not be many acorns left.

Collect at least twice as many acorns as the number of seedlings you want because not all of them will germinate. Discard acorns that still have the caps attached, that have holes or are otherwise damaged, or show signs of mold or rot.

Plant the acorns right away; if that’s not possible, you can store them for a few days. Spray them with water to prevent them from drying out and place them in a ventilated plastic bag. Store the bag in a cool place and keep the acorns moist but not wet.

Getting Started

Use standard commercial potting mix based on peat moss (it’s sterile and free of pathogens). Although the oaks will eventually be planted in garden soil, potting mix is the safest way to start healthy seedlings.

All acorns should be planted in the fall as soon as possible after collection. White oak and swamp oak will germinate soon after planting. For bur oak, pin oak, and red oak, you won’t see germination until the next spring because these oak species need stratification, which is provided by leaving the pots outdoors during the winter.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Small trowel
  • Bowl

Materials

  • Soilless potting mix
  • Small pots or seedling pots
  • Protective hardware cloth or mesh
  • Mesh tree guard

Instructions

Materials and tools to plant acorns and grow oak trees

The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

How to Plant an Acorn and Grow an Oak Tree

  1. Select Viable Acorns

    Fill a bowl with cold water and place the acorns in it. Viable acorns will sink or remain at the bottom and damaged or empty ones will float. Discard the floating acorns. Briefly soaking the acorns also helps rehydrate them if you stored them before planting.

    Bowl with water testing for viable acorns

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

  2. Plant the Acorns

    To plant the acorns, use pots deep enough for root growth. 2.5 x. 2.5 x 3.5-inch pots are ideal. Fill the pots with potting mix. Place two acorns sideways in each pot, at a depth about three times the width of the acorn, or about one inch. Water them well until water runs out of the drainage holes.

    Two acorns placed inside of two separate pots for planting

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

  3. Keep Soil Moist

    Keep the soil moist until the onset of winter weather. (During winter, you can leave them be. In the spring, restart watering them.) Keep the seedlings weed-free. Both the acorns and young seedlings need to be protected from pests. After planting the acorns, cover the pots with a screen or hardware cloth. Once the seedlings emerge, lift up the protection as needed to give the seedlings room to grow.

    Watering can pouring water on potted oak seedling

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

  4. Thin the Seedlings

    Regardless of when the acorns germinate—in fall or spring—if both acorns in a pot germinate, cut off the weaker of the two seedlings about one to two weeks after the seedling emerges. Do not pull out the second, unwanted seedling because its root system will be entangled with the roots of the stronger oak.

    Weaker oak seedling cut from pot with scissors

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

  5. Transplant into Larger Pots

    When the seedlings are about five to six inches tall, or when the root system starts to reach the side of the container, transplant the seedlings to two-quart nursery pots with large drain holes. Fill the pots with a mixture of half potting soil and half garden soil and add one teaspoon of slow-release fertilizer to the soil.

    Oak seedling transported into larger pot with fresh soil

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

  6. Relocate to Permanent Spot

    Once the root system is growing out of the drain holes, it’s time to plant the saplings in their permanent location. Dig a hole about three times the diameter of the container and the same depth. Add organic matter if needed to improve drainage. Water the saplings and spread a thick layer of mulch in a two-foot perimeter around the base but leave at least a two-inch space between the mulch and the tree trunk. Tender oak saplings are a favorite food for browsing deer and other wildlife. Make sure to protect the tree with a mesh tree guard for at least three years.

    Oak sapling covered with mesh guard after planting to permanent location

    The Spruce / Jayme Burrows

FAQ
  • Can I plant an already sprouted acorn?

    Yes, you can. Place it sideways in the soil with the primary root (radicle) downwards, and be careful not to break the root tip.

  • Are acorns planted point up or down?

    Neither, acorns are planted sideways. The primary root will emerge from the pointy end and grow downwards.

  • Can I start an oak tree from acorns inside?

    Acorns that do not need cold stratification can be started inside but once the seedling starts growing, it should be moved outdoors.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. How to Identify Oak Trees Using Acorns. Mississippi State University Extension

  2. Managing Harwood Stands for Acorn Production. Mississippi State University Extension

  3. Growing Oak Trees from Seed. Oklahoma State University Extension