Planting Acorns: Which Way Up?

Acorns are the seeds of oak trees and are typically collected in the fall. If you're planning to grow oak trees from acorns, you may be wondering which way is the proper orientation to plant them. In this article, we will answer the question of which way up you should plant acorns.

Orientation Matters

The orientation of an acorn seed does matter when it comes to planting them. Acorns have a top and a bottom, and planting them with the correct side up can improve their chances of germinating and growing into strong, healthy oak trees.

Identifying the Top and Bottom of an Acorn

The top of an acorn is the pointed end of the seed, and it's the part that was attached to the oak tree. The bottom of the acorn is the flat end of the seed. Before you plant an acorn, it's important to determine which end is up.

Planting Acorns with the Top Up

In general, it's recommended to plant acorns with the top facing up. This orientation allows the shoot to more easily push through the soil and towards the sunlight. Additionally, planting the acorn with the top facing up can prevent it from rotting in the soil.

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the rule of planting acorns with the top facing up. If the acorn has already started to sprout, it should be planted with the sprouted end up. This will ensure that the sprout continues growing in the right direction. Additionally, if you're planting acorns in a tray or container, it's not as important to worry about the orientation since the sprouts can be easily reoriented once they start to grow.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the recommended way to plant acorns is with the top facing up. However, there are exceptions to this rule, such as if the acorn has already started to sprout or if you're planting them in a tray or container. By following these guidelines, you can increase the chances of your acorns germinating and growing into strong oak trees.