Garry Oak Acorn CollectionWE ARE ACCEPTING ACORNS!
Please contact us at [email protected] if you have acorns this fall to make arrangements for pickup or drop-off. Please see the guidelines on collection, sorting and testing acorns below. We thank all collectors for your work and contributions. |
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Garry oak seedling found sprouting March 2014
Here are helpful guidelines that include tips on collection, sorting and testing as well as labeling and storage.
After collecting acorns, please take the time to float test them – toss out the floaters! Those which sink can be delivered to a central location in Saanich where you will find drop off containers marked with our GOMPS name.
Please limit the volume of acorns/nuts to a total of 1 litre per person per region. Imagine a milk carton full of clean, float tested acorns/nuts! We want diversity – not quantity. Our nursery project aims to protect the genetics of Garry oak (Quercus garryana) trees in all areas of the CRD.
Acorns with caps are not ripe and should not be collected.
If you have questions or comments for us please email [email protected] and someone will connect with you using either email or telephone.
Please note: We are only calling for acorns/nuts - if you have seedlings to donate please read our GOMPS Seedling Donation Policy.
After collecting acorns, please take the time to float test them – toss out the floaters! Those which sink can be delivered to a central location in Saanich where you will find drop off containers marked with our GOMPS name.
Please limit the volume of acorns/nuts to a total of 1 litre per person per region. Imagine a milk carton full of clean, float tested acorns/nuts! We want diversity – not quantity. Our nursery project aims to protect the genetics of Garry oak (Quercus garryana) trees in all areas of the CRD.
Acorns with caps are not ripe and should not be collected.
If you have questions or comments for us please email [email protected] and someone will connect with you using either email or telephone.
Please note: We are only calling for acorns/nuts - if you have seedlings to donate please read our GOMPS Seedling Donation Policy.
Are all the oaks I see in BC Garry oaks (Quercus garryana)?
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In short, no - but knowing what to look for can help to keep the task of acorn/nut collecting simple. Click on the thumbnail image at left and it will open A Guide to Identifying the Garry Oak.
Garry oaks (Quercus garryana) are the only oak native in British Columbia and their range is very small. They are most commonly found on Southern Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and in a few places near Hope, BC. That said they may also be found in other places. Recent efforts to map the remaining habitats of Garry Oak have found them in the Comox Valley of Central Vancouver Island. While it is unlikely to find a grove of Garry oaks growing outside their native range you may see a specimen on the boulevard or in a local park (such as in Queen Elisabeth Park, Vancouver, BC http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/queen-elizabeth-park.aspx).
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To assist you in correctly identifying the Garry oak (Quercus garryana) we have extracted this information from Volume 3 of the Illustrated Flora of British Columbia. This botany reference book, from the Research Branch of the BC Government's Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, is part of an eight volume series available at your local library or for purchase through the Queen's Printer of BC http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/Mr/MR_IllustratedFlora.htm. Our extract provides you with illustrations and keys to the Garry oak and the English oak - probably the two most common oaks in BC.
You can search the Internet for more information but some other useful links are The Tree Book from the BC Forest Service and E-Flora BC: an Electronic Atlas from UBC.
You can search the Internet for more information but some other useful links are The Tree Book from the BC Forest Service and E-Flora BC: an Electronic Atlas from UBC.