Expert: Walter Hintz - 7/10/2005

Question
I have lots of oak trees in a field next to us
which drop their acorns all over the place.
However the acorns out in the field away from the trees germinate, but the very same acorns under the trees don't. Why?

Answer
This is a very interesting observation Chris and one that I never thought about.  My back yard is wooded and is full of oak trees.  I have seen oak shoots come up under my trees but I do not have a field to compare sprouting.
  I can only make some guesses about this.  Are there a lot of squirrels that may be gathering the acorns from under the trees and burying them in the field?
  The other possibility is that the temperature is a factor in germination of acorns with the sun in the field keeping the soil warmer.  Also once the shoots are above ground those in the field will thrive while those in the shade may not.
  Have you actually made a count over time to be sure this observation is correct.
  This would make a good science fair project for someone. Acorns could be planted under conditins simulating a field and those under trees.