Planting English Oak Acorns: Orientation, Timing & Stratification

Does acorn orientation matter? Should you plant in April? Can you start indoors? Will a cracked shell help?

Best Practices

• Orientation: Horizontal is fine; no proven benefit to vertical.
• Timing: Plant in fall (now). Acorns need cold stratification (30–60 days near 40°F) to break dormancy.
• Indoors: Don’t. They’ll sprout prematurely without chilling and become leggy.
• Cracked shells: Discard. They’re likely desiccated or infected.
• Protection: Cover with hardware cloth—squirrels and voles love acorns.

Plant 1–2″ deep in well-drained soil. Mark the spot. Germination occurs in spring.