Oak trees are not only beautiful features of our wild landscapes, they’re also really important for wildlife. A mature oak can support hundreds of species of insects – which of course provides food for hungry birds and mammals. This activity is a wonderful way to directly explore the growing process of the oak tree and provides a project that can be worked on all year round. Your tree could support hundreds of species in the future, after all – “mighty oaks from little acorns grow!”.
Oak seedling © Alan Price
What you will need:
- Acorns
- A bowl
- Water
- A plant pot (or a clean, used, large yoghurt pot or ice cream tub)
- Stones or gravel
- Soil or peat-free compost
- Landowner’s permission to plant your tree
How to grow your oak tree:
- In autumn, go on a walk in a place where there are oak trees. Collect a few acorns.
- Place the acorns in a bowl of water – healthy ones will sink.
- Put a layer of stones or gravel into the bottom of the plant pot.
- Fill the plant pot with soil.
- Plant an acorn by pushing it into the soil with your finger.
- Water your pot over the winter.
- The first leaves should appear in the spring.
- Keep looking after your plant over the next year.
- By the second spring, it should be ready to plant out in the wild!
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