🌳 Tennessee White Oak Acorn Collection Program Seeks Community Help Through November 15

A statewide forest restoration effort is underway across Tennessee, and residents in Warren County and beyond have a simple way to contribute to the state’s long-term woodland health. The Tennessee White Oak Initiative is collecting acorns this fall to grow seedlings for future reforestation projects-and a local drop-off cooler in Morrison makes participation convenient for area residents.

📍 Why White Oak Trees Matter to Tennessee

White oak trees are woven into Tennessee’s natural and economic fabric. They provide critical food and habitat for wildlife, support the state’s timber industry, and supply wood for everything from furniture and flooring to whiskey barrels. Yet forestry officials have raised concerns about whether white oak trees can regenerate naturally in sufficient numbers to sustain healthy forests. The acorn collection program directly addresses that challenge by gathering quality acorns that will be grown into seedlings for restoration work across the state.

🤝 How Tennesseans Can Help

The collection effort welcomes individuals, families, landowners, civic groups, schools, and youth organizations. Participants should collect healthy acorns from white oak trees-avoiding any with visible cracks, holes, or damage. Acorns should be placed in breathable containers such as paper bags, mesh bags, or cardboard boxes. Each collection needs a note with the collector’s name, contact information, collection location, date, and tree species.

After gathering, acorns must be stored in a cool environment without freezing and delivered to a designated collection site or shipped to the East Tennessee Nursery within seven days. The collected acorns will supply the East Tennessee Nursery in Delano, where seedlings are grown for distribution and reforestation efforts across the region.

🗓️ Local Drop-Off Location and Deadline

Warren County residents have a convenient option: a designated collection cooler is located at 2718 Red Hill Road in Morrison, Tennessee 37357. The collection period runs through November 15, 2026, giving residents more than two months to participate. This is the sixth year of the program, which brings together the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry, the Tennessee Forestry Association, and University of Tennessee Extension.

💡 What Happens Next

A small effort this fall could help support healthier forests for future generations. By participating, Tennesseans contribute to the long-term conservation of one of the state’s most valuable native tree species. For detailed collection instructions and additional drop-off locations across Tennessee, residents can visit the Tennessee Forestry Association website or the Tennessee Department of Agriculture announcement.