Collect Acorns. Restore White Oaks.

Join us for the 2024 collection October 15 - November 15.

How to participate

Everyone—civic organizations, forestry groups, landowners, and citizens—can help secure Tennessee's forests by collecting acorns, preserving the ecological and economic benefits of white oak for future generations.

Consult the White Oak (Quercus albus) identification guide so that you can properly identify the correct type of tree and acorn.
Locate an area with White Oaks and collect acorns in a mesh, paper, or similarly breathable bag.
Look for acorns with separated caps, no cracks, holes, or other visible damage.
On a slip of paper, include your name, phone number, email, collection location, date, and species. Place paper in the bag. If possible, please use separate bags for separate collection locations.
Ensure that the acorns collected are from white oak (Quercus alba). Consult the identification video, if needed.
Store in cool, not freezing temperature (fridge, cellar, basement, garage, etc.).
Drop off at a designated cooler location or ship to the East Tennessee State Nursery within 7 days after collection.

What you need

Tree ID Guide

Click here to download or view the Tree ID Guide for White Oak identification assistance.
Breathable bags

This can include paper, mesh, cloth, burlap, or bags used for certain produce such as onions or potatoes.
Contact your area forester if these bag options are not available to you.
Paper & pen

Record your name, phone number, email, collection location, date, and species and put it in your collection bag