Acorn & Nut Collection for VDOF
Photo: R. Reilly
James River Master Naturalists participate yearly in the Virginia Department of Forestry's Acorn and Nut Collection Project. Thousands and thousands of acorns and seeds are collected by landowners and volunteers. They make their way to the DOF's Augusta seedling nursery and from there to reforestation projects throughout the state. While supporting forest restoration, collecting acorns and nuts helps volunteers refine their tree identification skills. The pictures below of various acorns highlight the clear differences in cap texture and shape that make identification fun and easy to learn.
Check your knowledge of acorns below!
A Practice Quiz
Can you identify the acorns below? Note that several parts of the tree are often needed for a definitive identification. Besides the leaf and acorn, winter buds and tree bark are very helpful. (Answers are at bottom of this section.)
All photos: R. Reilly
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A. White Oak (Quercus alba) B. Black Oak (Q. nigra) C. Willow Oak (Q. phellos) D. Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea)
E. Chestnut Oak (Q. montana) F. Southern Red Oak (Q. falcata) G. Northern Red Oak (Q. rubra)
