Some homeowners don’t mind having a tree or two in their yard because it provides shade and beauty, especially if it’s a flowering tree. An oak tree, however, might not be as welcome by other homeowners because it produces acorns. In fact, Massachusetts Audubon states that a large oak tree can drop thousands of them within one year. If you have an oak tree in front of or behind your home, you know this all too well. The question is, what’s the best thing to do with them when they fall in your yard? There are a few options: You can turn them into potting soil (recycle), plant them, make crafts out of them (upcycle), and even sell them.
Regardless of which option you choose, you’ll obviously need to collect and remove the acorns from your yard first. You can use an acorn removal tool, a leaf or shop vacuum, a lawn sweeper, or a strong rake to gather them up. Then, you can do with them what you please.
Recycle them or plant them in soil
You can recycle your acorns by converting them into potting soil. Potting soil typically includes some type of mulch, which can include a variety of different materials, including wood, compost, and yes, even acorns. If you have a mulching lawn mower, gather the acorns in a pile in your yard with a rake or vacuum and slowly pass over them with your lawn mower, as The Practical Suburban Farmer demonstrates. Pass the lawn mower over the acorns until they’re ground down into a dirt-like consistency. Then use the bagger on the mower to collect the “acorn mulch.” Don’t have a mulching blade on your lawn mower? Place a tarp on your driveway instead, spill the acorns on the tarp, and drive over them with your car a few times.
You can also plant the acorns to grow more oak trees. After you’ve gathered the acorns, look for some that have already begun to sprout with about half an inch of exposed root. Then place them in a pot of potting soil with the roots pointing toward the bottom of the pot, as Grow With Kit demonstrates. If you can’t find any that have sprouted, you can still plant the acorns the same way as above. Just make sure the pointed end of the acorn is facing the bottom of the pot, as the Sacramento Tree Foundation demonstrates. Within a few years, you can have a young oak tree that’s a few feet high.
Upcycle or sell them
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If you have a knack for arts and crafts, consider using the acorns in your yard for wall or shelf decor. Pinterest provides dozens of ideas. You can make a wreath, use them in a centerpiece, make a Christmas tree ornament, or make bracelets with the kiddos. You can also paint each one with an intricate design and fill a vase with them. Keep your creations for yourself or sell them online!
Even if you don’t decorate your acorns, you may still have the option to sell them. Many people don’t live anywhere near an oak tree, so they resort to online acorn sellers. Some Etsy sellers list their natural acorns for $14 a pound. Don’t have the time to package and ship your acorns, or just not interested in making a profit? Donate them instead. Facebook Marketplace is one place where you can advertise your acorns online for donation, without having to ship them.
