Post-Harvest Care

Because of the recalcitrant nature of acorns, much acorn quality is often lost between collection and storage. Acorns must be kept moist to maintain good seed quality. They should be collected and transported in plastic bags or in containers that can be covered to reduce moisture loss, especially if extended travel in the back of trucks is required. The steps that are taken to inhibit moisture loss also can lead to the problem of overheating (Gosling 1989). Overheating must be avoided, especially when plastic bags are used. Acorns should be kept in the shade while awaiting transport, and during transport, trucks should be parked in the shade when not moving. If the weather is warm, dry, and/or windy, spray the acorns with water. These are small things, but they can help maintain seed quality. In our experience, a loss of 5 percent moisture can be tolerated, but additional desiccation can lower acorn quality. If acorns are dried too much during collection and transport, moisture can be easily replaced by immersing the acorns in water at room or cold-storage temperature (Gosling 1989). Immersion is, in most cases, a good practice, and it leads logically to cleaning, the next step in acorn care. (Bonner, 1993)