How to Plant Bur Oak Seed
- 1). Gather bur oak seeds, or acorns, as quickly as possible after they fall off the tree in the fall or early winter. Delaying the harvest allows insects or rodents to attack the acorns. Do not gather acorns that are damaged or have small holes from insects. Wait until the seeds fall from the tree to be sure they are mature and ready to plant.
- 2). Fill a bucket with water and drop the acorns into it. Acorns that sink have a better chance of sprouting. Acorns that float are not viable because of insect damage or disease. Remove the viable acorns and set them in a dry location for 24 hours or plant them immediately. Bur oak seed does not require exposure to cold temperatures to sprout, but long-term storage should be done in a cool location so the seed remains viable.
- 3). Plant bur oak seeds in the fall or store them for spring planting. For fall planting, find a location that is well-drained and has exposure to at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Dig a hole 3 inches deep with a hand-held garden spade. Place the seed in the hole and cover it with soil. The bur oak seed will form a tap root up to 9 inches long before the leaves begin to appear in late spring or summer.
- 4). Store unused bur oak seeds in a plastic bag filled with sand or peat moss. Place the bag in a refrigerator for up to six months. Check the seed often for mildew. If mildew is present, discard the seed. Plant the seeds in the spring.