[Thylacine]

Oaks are the number 1 tree for wildlife (given the numbers of birds and insects which depend upon them) so it would be good to get a few more growing in the UK. From my experience, the most vulnerable time for oak saplings is the first year ....

So....this autumn, I'd like everyone reading this to collect a few acorns and plant them in a plantpot with some soil and then forget about them for the next 4 months leaving them outside in the winter rain and cold. In February, they can come inside (somewhere warmish - I use my office - but not too hot) and get that early start which really does them well. After frosts have stopped (May) they can be planted out somewhere or kept on in pots for the first year (my preference). I eventually like to put them somewhere where I hope they'll thrive with little competition. It's interesting and fun to see if your oak survives. Generally I get about >80% germination rates so your chances are good and there are loads about this autumn.

Give it a go and see how you get on.....

[Deimos]

How do you/people feel about Holm Oaks ? I planted a couple of pot grown 5' ones a couple of years ago and another this year. I would have liked a native Oak but also really wanted something evergreen. Opinion on Holm Oaks seems divided - some considering them an invasive species.

Ian

[cabbage]

I'm not sure how the neighbours would feel about an oak in my garden - given that it would take up the whole space! It is an excellent point though there really is no better tree for wildlife in this country than the Oak.
I've been conducting a butterfly survey this year and its made me pay a lot more attention to just where the wildlife/insects/butterflies are as I walk the transect. it really is noticeable that the densities of all three go up in areas where the oaks are.

As for Holm oaks, we've got a few specimen examples and I have to admit that I like them, especially in the winter when they give a much needed splash of colour. I've not noticed that they're particularly invasive, certainly not compared to the sycamores which pop up everywhere when you're not looking! They definitely don't have the same wildlife benefit as the native oaks though.

[Thylacine]

Ahh... but you don't plant the oaks in your garden (unless there is room), you plant them elsewhere - somewhere they'll thrive - on land which isn't yours - it's subversive, irresponsible but ultimately beneficial.... Naturalist fanatic that I am.

OK - I'm lucky and have a border with local Council land which is just left (it's meant to be a reserve anyway) so I figure a oak lined border would be a benefit. However any local council land is suitable eg. the edge of some playing fields. I've also done reconnaissance with a view to plant some at work (I've as much right to plant there as anyone) PLUSif they don't like the oaks they're easily removed BUT if some survive, I will be happy

Yes Holm oaks - better than some species but as Cabbage says not as productive as native oaks.

[cabbage]

Ahh... but you don't plant the oaks in your garden (unless there is room), you plant them elsewhere - somewhere they'll thrive - on land which isn't yours - it's subversive, irresponsible but ultimately beneficial.... Naturalist fanatic that I am.

Oh well if we're doing it like that then there's definitely a few places round here that i could sneak a wee oak into... interesting...

[Thylacine]

OK guys - you need to be finding your acorns now. The bigger the better and don't let them dry out! In my experience you get about 80% germination so don't over estimate. You need to plant them in a small individual pot with soil.

[cabbage]

OK guys - you need to be finding your acorns now. The bigger the better and don't let them dry out! In my experience you get about 80% germination so don't over estimate. You need to plant them in a small individual pot with soil.

I'll be coming home with a pocketfull tomorrow if I can!

[Thylacine]

Just thinking about this earlier as I was collecting acorns locally*, probably easier for people to just collect acorns and plant them in suitable areas - sapling oaks are a bit prone to being eaten by rabbits but if you'd rather not illegally plant an oak then acorns are a suitable alternative. All you need is to keep them moist before planting and then with a stout stick make a hole in the ground and put in the acorn and cover it up. Watch in the spring for signs of growth. If we can add another 20 or more Oaks in the UK then I'm happy!

I'd avoid the small or brown acorns - get as big and as green as you can. Also miss out on the ones bitten into by wood mice.

*Embarassingly enough I was forraging around under mature oak trees with my mountain bike and socks stuffed with acorns pretending not to be weird!

[cabbage]

Just thinking about this earlier as I was collecting acorns locally*, probably easier for people to just collect acorns and plant them in suitable areas - sapling oaks are a bit prone to being eaten by rabbits but if you'd rather not illegally plant an oak then acorns are a suitable alternative. All you need is to keep them moist before planting and then with a stout stick make a hole in the ground and put in the acorn and cover it up. Watch in the spring for signs of growth. If we can add another 20 or more Oaks in the UK then I'm happy!

I'd avoid the small or brown acorns - get as big and as green as you can. Also miss out on the ones bitten into by wood mice.

*Embarassingly enough I was forraging around under mature oak trees with my mountain bike and socks stuffed with acorns pretending not to be weird!

I was thinking about this myself and have in fact been doing just that... I like to think of it as 'encouraging' nature along

[Thylacine]

As mentioned above, I've been handling a lot of acorns this autumn and some, as it's been mild, have germinated almost immediately. This interested me, so I stuck one in a pot in my office and this is it now....

I guess there is genetic variation in plant populations for the conditions of germination so they can cope with variations in environment. So apparently oaks don't need a period of freezing weather to spark their development (as does one of our UK tree species... Beech?)