Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - October 05, 2009

From: Santa Rosa, CA
Region: California
Topic: Trees
Title: Acorns for craft project in Santa Rosa CA
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

Where can I find mature northern red oaks, northern pin oaks in Santa Rosa, CA 95404 in order to get their cute chubby acorns for a craft project I'm doing?

ANSWER:

Are you ready to take a road trip? The closest Quercus rubra (northern red oak) grows to California is far eastern Nebraska. And the nearest Quercus ellipsoidalis (northern pin oak) is in one county in northern Missouri. We realize there are probably specimens of both trees growing in California, but we don't know where.

On the other hand, Quercus agrifolia (California live oak) and Quercus dumosa (coastal sage scrub oak) both are native to the vicinity of Sonoma County. We had no pictures of the acorns of either tree in our Native Plant Image Gallery, but here are pictures, including acorns, of northern red oak and northern pin oak from Google. Hope you can find some and that they are chubby enough. 

From our Native Plant Image Gallery:


Quercus agrifolia

Quercus dumosa

 

 

More Trees Questions

Growing non-native avocado outside from Austin
December 27, 2012 - My son has a very large avocado tree that he rooted from a pit that is currently growing in a large container. However, it has gotten too big to winter inside. Can it be planted in the ground in Aust...
view the full question and answer

Young Maple Dropping Leaves in Late Summer
September 05, 2013 - I have a 6-year-old maple tree. I'm not sure what type it is as the builder planted it. It is as tall as our two-story house and very healthy. It's the biggest tree in our neighborhood because we fe...
view the full question and answer

Susceptibility of Shumard oaks to oak wilt
March 25, 2006 - I have planted a red oak tree. I am still trying to locate the ID tag for the type. I planted it two or three years ago. I purchased the tree from either Lowes or Home Depot. Is there a type of red oa...
view the full question and answer

Fruit-bearing crabapple for Austin, TX
January 07, 2007 - Is there a fruitbearing crabapple that will live in Austin. If so, what soil type is required?
view the full question and answer

Is it wise to cut suckers from live oak branches in April in Austin
April 07, 2010 - My live oak branches are filling with suckers and I would like to cut them now, April. Is that wise?
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.