Why Native Trees Matter

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Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Black Oak acorns require a cold, moist stratification period to break dormancy and initiate germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container and a moist medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place acorns in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check periodically to ensure the medium stays moist and remove any moldy or spoiled acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  Plant in early spring after stratification.
• How deep:
  Sow acorns 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in well-draining soil.
• Where:
  Choose a site with full sun and well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Avoid heavy clay or poorly drained areas.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 20 to 30 feet apart to allow for mature growth.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil moist but not saturated, especially in the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch a few inches away from the seedling base.
• Protection:
  Use tree guards or fencing to protect young trees from deer, rodents, and other damage.
• Weeding:
  Maintain a weed-free area around seedlings to reduce competition.
   

Bonus Tips

• Black Oak is a moderately slow-growing tree that can reach 50 to 80 feet in height.
• It features deeply lobed leaves and striking orange inner bark.
• This species is adapted to dry upland soils and makes a strong addition to native and wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Black Walnut seeds (nuts) require a cold, moist stratification period to break dormancy and promote germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container and a moist medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place seeds in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 90 to 120 days.
  4. Check periodically to keep the medium moist and remove any spoiled seeds.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Seeds

• When:
  Plant seeds in early spring immediately after stratification.
• How deep:
  Sow seeds about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in well-draining soil.
• Where:
  Choose a site with full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 30 to 40 feet apart to accommodate mature tree size.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil moist, especially during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch around seedlings to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch away from the stem.
• Protection:
  Protect young trees from deer and rodents with guards or fencing.
• Weeding:
  Keep the area around seedlings free from competing vegetation.
   

Bonus Tips

• Black Walnut is a slow to moderate grower and can reach heights of 50 to 75 feet.
• The tree produces valuable hardwood and edible nuts.
• Black Walnut produces juglone, a chemical that can inhibit growth of some nearby plants—avoid planting sensitive species nearby.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Burr Oak acorns require a cold, moist stratification period to break dormancy and encourage germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container and a moist medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place acorns in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check periodically to keep the medium moist and remove any spoiled acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  Plant acorns in early spring after stratification.
• How deep:
  Sow acorns 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in soil.
• Where:
  Select full sun to partial shade with moist, well-draining soil. Burr Oak is tolerant of various soil types including clay.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 20 to 30 feet apart to accommodate mature tree size.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping it away from the base of the seedling.
• Protection:
  Use guards or fencing to protect young seedlings from deer and rodents.
• Weeding:
  Maintain a clear area around seedlings to reduce competition.
   

Bonus Tips

• Burr Oak grows slowly to moderately and can reach 70 to 80 feet tall.
• It has distinctive large lobed leaves and a rugged, deep-acorned cap.
• Tolerant of drought and urban conditions, making it a hardy landscape tree.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Chestnut Oak acorns require a cold, moist stratification period to break dormancy and support successful germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or sealed container and a moist medium like peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place acorns into the moist medium — it should be damp, not dripping wet.
  2. Seal the bag or container completely.
  3. Refrigerate at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check monthly for moisture levels and remove any moldy or soft acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  Plant acorns in early spring following stratification.
• How deep:
  Sow acorns 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in soil.
• Where:
  Choose a planting site with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, rocky or sandy soils. Chestnut Oaks are well-adapted to dry upland areas.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 20 to 30 feet apart to allow room for mature growth.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Water regularly to keep the soil moist, especially during the first growing season. Do not overwater.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch to help retain moisture and reduce weed competition. Keep mulch a few inches from the base of the plant.
• Protection:
  Use tree guards or fencing to protect young trees from deer and rodents.
• Weeding:
  Keep the area around seedlings weed-free to promote strong growth.
   

Bonus Tips

• Chestnut Oak is a slow-growing but long-lived tree that can reach 60 to 70 feet tall.
• It features deeply ridged bark and leaves with rounded teeth, resembling those of a chestnut tree.
• Great for dry, rocky slopes and forests — it provides excellent wildlife value.
   

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Chinkapin Oak acorns require a cold, moist stratification period to break dormancy and promote germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container and a moist medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place acorns in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked 
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check periodically to keep the medium moist and remove any spoiled acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  Plant acorns in early spring after stratification.
• How deep:
  Sow acorns 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in soil.
• Where:
  Choose full sun to partial shade with well-draining, alkaline to neutral soil. Chinkapin Oak prefers limestone-based soils but adapts well.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 20 to 30 feet apart for mature growth.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil moist but not soggy during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds, keeping mulch away from the seedling base.
• Protection:
  Use guards or fencing to protect seedlings from deer and rodents.
• Weeding:
  Keep the area around seedlings free from competing vegetation.
   

Bonus Tips

• Chinkapin Oak is a slow to moderate grower, reaching heights of 40 to 60 feet.
• Leaves are similar to chestnut leaves, with a toothed margin.
• Excellent for rocky or alkaline soils where other oaks may struggle.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Optional but Recommended)

Northern Catalpa seeds benefit from cold, moist stratification to improve germination rates, though they can sometimes germinate without it.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container and a moist medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place seeds in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 30 to 60 days.
  4. Check occasionally to keep the medium moist and remove any seeds showing mold or rot.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Seeds

• When:
  Plant seeds outdoors or in containers after stratification, ideally in spring.
• How deep:
  Sow seeds about ½ inch (1.3 cm) deep in well-draining soil.
• Where:
  Choose full sun to partial shade with rich, moist but well-drained soil.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 15 to 20 feet apart for mature growth.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping it clear of the seedling base.
• Protection:
  Protect young trees from deer and rodents with guards or fencing as needed.
• Weeding:
  Maintain a weed-free zone around seedlings to reduce competition.
   

Bonus Tips

• Northern Catalpa is a fast-growing tree, often reaching 40 to 70 feet tall.
• It features large heart-shaped leaves and showy white flowers in late spring to early summer.
• Adaptable to a wide range of soils, including clay and poor soils.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Northern Red Oak acorns require a cold, moist period to break dormancy and encourage germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container, and a moist medium like peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place acorns in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check periodically to make sure the medium stays moist and remove any spoiled acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  After stratification, plant in early spring.
• How deep:
  Plant acorns about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in soil.
• Where:
  Choose a site with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil.
• Spacing:
  If planting multiple, space seedlings 15 to 20 feet apart for proper growth.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil consistently moist, especially during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch around seedlings to help retain moisture and reduce weeds, keeping mulch away from the stem.
• Protection:
  Protect young seedlings from wildlife such as deer and rodents using guards or fencing.
• Weeding:
  Maintain a clear area around seedlings to reduce competition.
   

Bonus Tips

• Northern Red Oak grows relatively fast and can reach heights of 60–75 feet or more.
• Leaves have pointed lobes with bristle tips, turning vibrant red in the fall.
• Prefers well-drained soils but is adaptable to various conditions.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Pin Oak acorns require a cold, moist stratification period to break dormancy and stimulate germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container and a moist medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place clean, healthy acorns in the bag with the moist medium — moist but not soggy.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check monthly to maintain moisture and discard any spoiled acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  Plant acorns in early spring after stratification.
• How deep:
  Sow acorns 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in soil.
• Where:
  Choose a location with full sun and moist, acidic, well-draining soil. Pin Oaks thrive in slightly acidic conditions and do not tolerate high pH soils.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 20 to 30 feet apart to allow for mature canopy spread.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch to help retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch a few inches from the base of the seedling.
• Protection:
  Use guards or fencing to protect from deer, rodents, or lawn equipment damage.
• Weeding:
  Keep the planting area free of grass and weeds to reduce competition.
   

Bonus Tips

• Pin Oaks grow quickly and can reach heights of 60 to 70 feet.
• They have a distinctive pyramidal shape with strong central leaders.
• Ideal for large landscapes and urban plantings — just be mindful of soil pH to avoid nutrient deficiencies like iron chlorosis.
   

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Shumard Oak acorns need a cold, moist stratification period to break dormancy and encourage germination.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container and a moist medium such as peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place acorns in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check periodically to ensure the medium stays moist and remove any spoiled acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  Plant acorns in early spring after stratification.
• How deep:
  Sow acorns 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in soil.
• Where:
  Choose a site with full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil. Shumard Oak tolerates a wide range of soil types.
• Spacing:
  Space seedlings 20 to 30 feet apart to allow for mature growth.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil moist but not waterlogged during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch around seedlings to conserve moisture and reduce weeds, keeping it away from the stem.
• Protection:
  Protect young trees from deer and rodents with guards or fencing.
• Weeding:
  Maintain a weed-free area around seedlings to minimize competition.
   

Bonus Tips

• Shumard Oak is a moderately fast-growing tree that can reach heights of 60 to 80 feet.
• Its leaves turn brilliant red in the fall, making it a beautiful landscape choice.
• Well-adapted to both urban and rural environments.

Step 1: Cold Stratification (Essential for Germination)

Swamp White Oak acorns need a cold, moist period to break dormancy and start growing.

• What you need:
  A plastic bag or container, and moist medium like peat moss, vermiculite, or clean sand.
• How to do it:
  1. Place acorns in the bag with the moist medium — damp, not soaked.
  2. Seal the bag or container tightly.
  3. Store in the refrigerator at 34°F–41°F (1°C–5°C) for 60 to 90 days.
  4. Check periodically to ensure medium stays moist and remove any spoiled acorns.
      

Step 2: Planting Your Acorns

• When:
  After stratification, plant in early spring.
• How deep:
  Plant acorns 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) deep in soil.
• Where:
  Choose full sun to partial shade, with moist, well-draining soil. Swamp White Oak thrives in wetter soils but is adaptable.
• Spacing:
  If planting multiple, space 15 to 20 feet apart for mature growth.
   

Step 3: Caring for Seedlings

• Water:
  Keep soil moist but not soggy, especially during the first growing season.
• Mulch:
  Apply mulch around seedlings to retain moisture and control weeds, keeping it away from the stem.
• Protection:
  Use guards or fencing to protect from wildlife like deer or rodents.
• Weeding:
  Keep the area clear of competing plants for best growth.
   

Bonus Tips

• Swamp White Oak grows moderately fast and can reach 50–70 feet tall.
• Leaves have a distinct white underside—beautiful in any landscape.
• Perfect for wetter areas or places with occasional flooding.