We want every acorn you collect to grow into a healthy, strong, and mighty oak. In order for this to happen, there are a few things you can do to ensure the propagation and vigor of your acorns. Please follow these simple steps and contact Denise Mitten at 309.496.9848 or at milliontrees@livinglandsandwaters.org if you have any questions!

THE HUNT BEGINS…

Where should I look?

The best places to find acorns include areas that have maintained for a long time such as parks, cemeteries, old neighborhoods, school yards, monuments, golf courses, and even your own backyard! Also, ask around the neighborhood. Your local experts are a wealth of information!

Be courteous. If you spot the mother-load of acorns on private or even public property, it’s always good to ask for permission first before collecting. And don’t forget to explain the program—99% of people want to help a good cause and will more than likely direct you to more acorns!

Use your best judgment and collect acorns from healthy looking trees. Avoid trees that are diseased, infested with insects, have unusual bumps or bulges, or are strangely twisted.

How do I know which trees are oaks?

Many oak trees (and their acorns) look very similar. While out hunting, we suggest bringing our Oak/Acorn Identification Guide, or borrow a tree identification book from your local library or school science department. By examining the characteristics of the leaf, twigs, bark, and acorns, you should be able to narrow down which species you’ve collected.

NOTE: We are collecting ONLY oaks! No walnuts, pecans, etc. at this time!

What should I bring with me when I go out collecting?

1. An identification guide to help determine what species you’ve found.
2. Several dry paper, mesh, or burlap sacks to put the acorns in ( No plastic shopping bags, Ziploc bags, or other air-tight bags as acorns will rot and mildew!). The size of bag is up to you and what you can handle.
3. The MillionTree Project Description page. This will be handy when asking to collect from a landowner’s property. They’ll like to see how worthwhile this effort is.
4. A pen/marker and the labels or bag tags.
5. Friends, family, co-workers, students, etc!!! The more hands, the more acorns collected. This is also a great way to spend time together outdoors while doing something positive for the community and the environment!
6. A CAMERA! Take lots of pictures of the whole process! These are great for posting in newsletters and promotional materials, on the LL&W webpage, and for showing our sponsors and supporters!

THE HUNT IS SUCCESSFUL…I’VE FOUND ACORNS. Now what do I do?

You have to bag them and tag them!

The next steps are VERY important. If not followed correctly, your acorns may have to be disposed of.

1. Acorns will have to be separated and bagged based on: species and whether they were collected from an upland or lowland area. If they were collected from very different regions (i.e. several miles apart such as Moline, IL and Springfield, IL), you need to separate them based on where they were found. Reason: Trees that have been growing in lowland areas are better adapted to survive high water situations than those in the uplands, and those in the uplands are better adapted to survive droughts than those in the flood plain. Therefore, to ensure a high survival rate, we want to plant those trees with the best adaptations to their environment.
   
   Example--Pin oak acorns collected from Ben Butterworth Parkway in Moline, IL, right along the river, will have to be bagged separately from pin oak acorns that were found on the hills/bluffs of Moline. But, white oak acorns collected from Ben Butterworth Parkway (again, right along the river) could be placed in the same bag as white oak acorns collected from riverfront of Muscatine, Iowa, just 45 minutes away. Does that make sense? You can always contact us if you have questions!
   
2. Before packaging, take several acorns from each bag and do a float test to see if the acorns are healthy and viable. To do this, place a handful of acorns in a large container of water. If the acorns sink to the bottom, they are fit acorns ready for planting. If the majority of them float, chances are that these acorns are of bad quality and will unlikely grow. These should be disposed of. PLEASE REMEMBER TO DRY OFF THE VIABLE ACORNS BEFORE BAGGING TO PREVENT MOISTURE BUILDUP.
   
3. Keep sticks, leaves, and other debris out of the bags, unless you are not 100% sure of the species of acorn you’ve collected. Then, we advise including a twig and leaf from the tree in the bag for LL&W staff to use for seed identification.
   
4. Each bag will need a tag or label. These tags need to include the following information:
   
   -the town/state where collected
   -the specific place in the community
   -the number of acorns in the bag
   -the specific species
   -whether they were collected in an upland or lowland area
   -the date of the collection

I’VE SEPERATED, BAGGED AND TAGGED…NOW WHAT?

Keep the acorns in a cool, dry place, away from rodents! Then, arrange for the acorns to get to LL&W as soon as you can! Depending on the amount of acorns collected, you have several options. PLEASE BE SURE TO INCLUDE THE SEED COLLECTORS FORM WITH YOUR ACORNS!!!!!!!!

• Depending on your distance and availability, you can drop them off at our office.
• You can box up the acorns and mail them to LL&W’s office.
• If none of the above options work for you, call or email our office to arrange another pick up/delivery method. You never know when a member of the LL&W crew may be passing near your community!

Living Lands & Waters
c/o The MillionTree Project
17624 Route 84 North
East Moline , IL 61244
Phone: 309.496.9848
Fax: 309.496.1012