How to Grow an Oak From a Nut

Gather acorns as soon as the main crop begins to fall from the tree in autumn. Discard acorns with worm holes or cracks. Place the acorns in a bowl or container filled with water. Discard any acorns that float as they do not contain a seed and will not germinate. Store acorns in a sealed plastic container in a cool location if you don't plan to plant them right away.

Fill a container with sand and add water to moisten but not saturate the sand if you are planting red oak acorns. At least 30 days before planting, place the acorns in the container and partially cover them with sand. This process artificially breaks the acorns' dormancy so they will germinate. Check the acorns at least once a week for signs of germination. Add water to keep the sand moist as needed. Skip this process if you are planting white oak acorns.

Rinse a 1-quart square milk carton thoroughly and allow it to dry. Cut the carton so it is at least 6 inches tall with a pair of scissors. Punch several 1/2-inch drainage holes in the bottom of the container using the pencil.

Add potting soil to the square planter. Fill the container with soil to within 1 inch of the top of the container. Tap the bottom of the container on a hard surface to settle the soil without compacting it.

Form a small hole in the center of the soil with your finger. Transfer the germinated acorn from the moist sand to the container with soil. Place the acorn in the hole and cover it with a shallow layer of soil. Water the soil so it is moist, and place the container in a warm, sunny location.

Check the growth of the acorn daily and water it to keep the soil damp but not overly moist. Turn the pot each day after the oak seedling emerges from the soil. Rotate the pot to keep the seedling growing straight as it will lean toward the sunlight.

Transplant the oak after three months to a suitable outdoor location. Choose a spot that receives partial sunlight and allows enough room for the seedling's growth into a tall oak tree. Wait until after the last frost in your area to transplant the oak seedling. Protect the seedling from deer and other browsers by erecting a mesh tree guard around the tree.