An oak tree bears numerous fruits called acorns in autumn. These are nuts that are surrounded by a cap on one side. Acorns are used as animal feed or to grow new oak trees.
What does the fruit of an oak tree look like?
The fruit of the oak is the acorn, an elongated nut about 3 cm long, medium brown in color and with a detachable fruit cup called a cupula. Acorns are ripe when they can be easily removed from the cap and have a shiny outer skin.
This is what the oak fruits look like
- Elongated nut
- Approximately three centimeters long
- Medium brown color
- removable fruit cup (cupula)
The acorn harvest season begins in September. The fruits simply fall to the ground.
Blooming will take place next year. Acorns require a period of very low temperatures before they begin to germinate.
Identifying ripe acorns
If you want to collect acorns in the forest to grow your own oak tree, you must make sure that they are ripe.
The ripe fruit of an oak tree is indicated by the fact that it can be easily removed from the cap.
Ripe acorns that are suitable for sowing have a medium brown, shiny outer skin. They are solid and have no holes.
How to grow an oak tree from acorns
The oak fruit is best picked directly from the tree and stored in the refrigerator for a longer period of time.
Then they are planted in a pot or outdoors.
Alternatively, acorns that have already sprouted can be dug up in the forest in spring.
Do not eat acorns raw
Acorns are very nutritious, but people cannot enjoy them raw. Because of their high content of tannic acid, they are poisonous and cause severe gastrointestinal problems.
The tannins can be removed by watering. Acorns can be processed for various purposes.
In times of need, acorns were ground into flour or roasted and used as a substitute for coffee.
Acorns as pig feed
Pigs and forest animals, however, tolerate raw acorns well.
In the past, the oak fruit was used to fatten pigs. The pigs were driven into the forest in autumn and ate the acorns there.
The acorns should make the pork very aromatic. In Mediterranean countries, pigs are still fattened with the fruits of the cork oak.
Tips & Tricks
The bark of oak trees is often used in natural medicine. It contains anti-inflammatory active ingredients. Extracts from the bark are used as a bath additive for skin rashes and as a tea to treat stomach problems.
