How to Start Laurel Oaks From Seed

Planting Acorns

• 1

  Pick or shake the acorns from the laurel oak tree after they have turned brown and are fully ripe. Gather them immediately. Avoid acorns that have been lying on the ground for several days.

• 2

  Examine the acorns, discarding any that are broken, rotten or have small holes in them.

• 3

  Place the acorns in a jar of water and let them soak overnight. Discard those that float to the top. The "floaters" are damaged, hollow or not fully developed.

• 4

  Place the moist seedlings in a plastic bag and seal it with a twist tie or other closure. Place the bag of seeds in the refrigerator for at least four weeks.

• 5

  Fill the pots to within 2 inches of the top with potting soil. Lay a few acorns on their sides on top of the soil and cover them with another inch of soil.

• 6

  Water the acorns and keep the soil lightly moist.

• 7

  Remove all but one of the seedlings from the pot once they are 2 to 3 inches tall. Keep the strongest seedling.

• 8

  Place the pots outdoors in early spring to allow the seedlings to become accustomed to the outdoor environment before planting them.

Transplanting Outdoors

• 9

  Dig a hole as deep as the pot and about a foot wide.

• 10

  Remove the seedling from its pot and set it in the hole. Make sure the seedling sits slightly higher in the hole than in the pot.

• 11

  Fill in around the roots with soil that you removed from the hole. Press down with your hands as you go to remove air pockets. Water deeply, and add more soil if it settles after watering.

• 12

  Surround the seedling with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch, making a circle that extends about 18 inches from the base of the tree.