- This is what the fruits of the oak look like
- Identify ripe acorns
- Grow an oak tree from acorns
- Do not eat acorns raw
- Acorns as pig feed
- tips and tricks
An oak tree bears numerous fruits called acorns in the fall. These are nut fruits that are enclosed by a cap on one side. Acorns are used as animal feed or to grow new oak trees.
This is what the fruits of the oak look like
- Elongated nut
- About three centimeters long
- Medium brown color
- detachable fruit cup (cupula)
The acorn harvest season begins in September. The fruits just fall to the ground.
The expulsion will take place next year. Acorns need a period of very low temperatures before they start to germinate.
Identify ripe acorns
If you want to collect acorns in the forest to grow your own oak tree, you have to make sure that they are ripe.
The ripe fruit of an oak can be recognized by the fact that it can be easily removed from the cap.
Ripe acorns suitable for sowing have a medium brown, glossy outer skin. They are solid and have no holes.
Grow an oak tree from acorns
The fruit of the oak is best plucked directly from the tree and kept in the fridge for a long time.
Then they are planted in a pot or directly in the field.
Alternatively, acorns that have already sprouted can be dug up in the forest in spring.
Do not eat acorns raw
Acorns, while highly nutritious, are not edible for humans in their raw state. Because of their high tannic acid content, they are toxic and cause severe gastrointestinal problems.
The tannins can be removed by soaking. Acorns can be processed for various purposes.
In times of need, acorns were ground into flour or roasted and served as a substitute for coffee.
Acorns as pig feed
Pigs and forest animals, on the other hand, tolerate raw acorns well.
In the past, the fruit of the oak was therefore used for pig fattening. The pigs were driven into the forest in autumn and ate the acorns there.
The pork should be very aromatic through the acorns. In Mediterranean countries, pigs are still fattened with the fruits of the cork oak.
tips and tricks
The bark of oak trees is often used in natural medicine. It contains anti-inflammatory agents. Extracts from the bark are used as a bath additive for skin rashes and as a tea to treat stomach problems.