Q. I picked up 10 acorns that were laying on the ground
in Illinois. If I were to plant these, would the acorns germinate and produce
an oak tree? What are the chances it will survive in the desert climate?
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| Acorn from southern live oak, which grows in the desert southwest, from previous submitter |
A. There are about twenty different kinds of oaks native
to Illinois. Two of the more common oaks are northern Red Oak and White Oak.
Both of these oaks are not native to the Southwest and you will have trouble
growing them here as they get older.
to Illinois. Two of the more common oaks are northern Red Oak and White Oak.
Both of these oaks are not native to the Southwest and you will have trouble
growing them here as they get older.
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| Oak leaf gall does occur on our native oaks in the desert southwest |
We have oaks native to the Southwest
and you are better off planting those than bringing some from Illinois. But you
could have fun with them for a while.
and you are better off planting those than bringing some from Illinois. But you
could have fun with them for a while.
If you found acorns on the ground, then most likely the
seed inside the acorn is mature. However, the seed may not be “alive”. Put them
in a bowl of water and use the ones that sink and discard the ones that float.
seed inside the acorn is mature. However, the seed may not be “alive”. Put them
in a bowl of water and use the ones that sink and discard the ones that float.
Plant them on the north or east side
of a building. Mix compost 50/50 with native soil in an area 3 feet wide and 2
feet deep. Plant the acorns on their side in this amended soil, about 1 inch
deep, in mid-November. If the winter is cold enough, the seed inside the acorn
will grow when it warms in the spring.
of a building. Mix compost 50/50 with native soil in an area 3 feet wide and 2
feet deep. Plant the acorns on their side in this amended soil, about 1 inch
deep, in mid-November. If the winter is cold enough, the seed inside the acorn
will grow when it warms in the spring.
If you missed this November window,
put them in a plastic bag with a moist sponge in the refrigerator. Take them
out after two months and then plant them in the same way.
put them in a plastic bag with a moist sponge in the refrigerator. Take them
out after two months and then plant them in the same way.
Oaks have a very strong taproot. If
you move them from this spot, do it when they are very small. They do not move
easily to new locations once they establish a taproot. Otherwise, remove extra
seedlings and grow the strongest ones the same way you would grow any other
landscape tree.
you move them from this spot, do it when they are very small. They do not move
easily to new locations once they establish a taproot. Otherwise, remove extra
seedlings and grow the strongest ones the same way you would grow any other
landscape tree.