Virginia Department of Forestry asks scouts to harvest acorns for tree nursery

[RememberSchiff 3680]

"The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) collects a variety of species of acorns and nuts that can be planted at its Augusta Nursery (Crimora, Va.) to grow into tree seedlings that will become the forests of tomorrow. These seeds will produce next year’s hardwood seedling crop, which will be sold to Virginia’s forestland owners. Seedlings grown from Virginia-grown seed generally produce trees that will best thrive in our state’s climates.

Certain nuts can be difficult to find regionally, and availability can change year to year. At times, one species of tree in a region may produce minimal acorns, while others are abundant. This is why DOF puts out a call-to-action for landowners across the state. The more trees that can be identified for collection, the more nuts can be potentially planted in the nursery."

Virginia’s Department of Forestry is asking the public to help the agency collect the acorns in support of their efforts to plant trees statewide.

Joshua McLaughlin is the nursery manager at VDOF’s nursery in Augusta County. He says each year people donate acorns which are then planted at the nursery. Within a year, those seeds become seedlings - available for purchase for around $3.00.

“So here in about a few weeks, we’ll start putting acorns in the ground, and then that will be next year’s crop,” McLaughlin explained. “And so like for this year, starting October 2, we actually have our online store starting our seedlings sale season, and we sell seedlings to the public. We’re not in it to make a lot of money. seedlings are very inexpensive. "

DOF needs the following species this year.

*Bold species are of particular interest:

• *Black Oak
• *Chestnut Oak
• *White Oak
• *Black Walnut
• Chinese Chestnut
• Northern Red Oak
• Pin Oak
• Shumard Oak
• Southern Red Oak
• Swamp Chestnut Oak
• Swamp White Oak
• Water Oak
• Willow Oak

Keep these acorn collection tips in mind:

• Safety first. Stay away from roadways.
• Look for whole, uncracked acorns that are dark brown or green. Collected acorns do not need caps.
• Do not collect on private property without permission.
• Place in a paper bag. Please do NOT use plastic bags.
• Use a separate bag for each species.
• Label the bag with the collection date and species (if known). If you’re not sure, include a few leaves from the tree to help us with identification.
• Place in a cool area until you’re ready to drop them off (sooner the better!).
• Collection from yards, sidewalks, driveways, etc., is recommended, to ensure collection of a single species. (Forest collection makes it difficult to determine the tree of origin and often leads to mixing of acorn types.)
• Avoid sticks, leaves, gravel and debris.
•  

 

More at sources:

https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/09/26/how-you-can-participate-virginias-annual-acorn-harvest/

https://dof.virginia.gov/forest-management-health/seedling-nurseries/acorn-and-nut-collection/

[yknot 1338]

Many of our oaks apparently didn't cross pollinate this year due to weather conditions earilier in the year. Sterile acorn husks started dropping over the summer and we're getting' next to nuttin' now... 

[RememberSchiff 3680]

Been worried about our oaks here in northeast as there has been a bumper crop of fungus from the hot, wet (#4 wettest on record) summer.  More wind damage than past summers.  Haven't noticed a difference in acorns.

[RememberSchiff 3680]

On 9/28/2023 at 8:53 AM, RememberSchiff said:

...Haven't noticed a difference in acorns.

New England weather has changed, it is now raining acorns.

"Mass Wildlife calls it a potential masting year. Some years oak trees will drop all of their acorns together at the same time. It's an evolutionary process that works to overwhelm predators by covering the ground with acorns. The hope is that some survive becoming food if they all fall at once."

More at source:

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/abundance-acorns-massachusetts-trees/

[SSScout 1615]

Our  Chinese Chestnuts have been really productive this year. We have two types, evidently, but the leaves are indistinguishable to my eye.  One big nut , about 1" across, and ovoid, and one about 3/4 inch across and more circular.  Very regular , each of the two trees, on opposite sides of our house.  Can't eat them raw, but cooked they are very tasty. 

A neighbor has a very large and grand White Oak, bushels of acorns, much more than "usual" this year.  Wife and some friends are going to produce Acorn Flour from them this year. It is quite a process but produces a tasty flour for baking, pancakes, etc.  

[RememberSchiff 3680]

11/27/2023:

The Maryland Forest Service and the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery have completed a successful seed collection to grow the next generation of native trees and shrubs in the state. 

The collection brought in thousands of pounds of seeds, berries and nuts, from white oak to witch hazel, for planting in the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ state nursery in Preston, Caroline County. The nursery grows those seeds into bare-root tree seedlings, which are then used in tree plantings across the state.

Volunteers collected large hauls of seeds and berries from across the state. Residents, Boy Scout Troop 945, and staff from Forest Service and the Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment harvested more than 250 pounds of plum in one day in New Market. Frederick County Girl Scout Troop 37025 collected, cleaned and sorted more than 50 pounds of chestnut oak acorns.

More at source:

https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2023/11/27/maryland-forest-service-wraps-up-successful-seed-collection/

Edited November 27, 2023 by RememberSchiff