Acorn orientation when direct seeding?

OkieKubota

Moderator
Staff member
In the past I had always just pushed my acorns into the dirt point first but now I am starting to rethink that...would it be better to plant them on their side like they end up when they fall from the tree?
 
I plant mine point down. When I see most acorns germinate I see the radical coming from the pointed end of the acorn. I might be all wrong, but that is what I do.
 
I plant mine point down. When I see most acorns germinate I see the radical coming from the pointed end of the acorn. I might be all wrong, but that is what I do.

Most often it is suggested that you plant the acorn on it's side; it will shoot the radical (future tap root) first and - sometime later (can be as late as the following spring/summer (early summer if you planted in the preceding fall) you will see the tree emerge and begin growing. Since both the radical/taproot AND tree come out of the pointed end of the acorn, there is less chance for an orientation problem with the tree if the acorn is on it's side. I imagine you could grow trees from acorns planted with the point down; I just have never tried to do so.
 
Most often it is suggested that you plant the acorn on it's side; it will shoot the radical (future tap root) first and - sometime later (can be as late as the following spring/summer (early summer if you planted in the preceding fall) you will see the tree emerge and begin growing. Since both the radical/taproot AND tree come out of the pointed end of the acorn, there is less chance for an orientation problem with the tree if the acorn is on it's side. I imagine you could grow trees from acorns planted with the point down; I just have never tried to do so.
Well there you go......I just might be an idiot! I guess I have a test to try.......
 
On their side. The radical will come out of the point and turn down into the ground. The tree will emerge and go upward.
 
Best on their side but they will grow otherwise.
I sometimes wonder if the ones I direct seed do better depending on orientation but I doubt jays and squirrels are picky on how they plant either.
 
Back
Top