Virginians can help preserve native tree species by collecting acorns and seeds from nine species and delivering them to the nearest office of the Virginia Department of Forestry.

“Generally, the best time to collect acorns is the last week in September through the first week of October,” says Josh McLaughlin, nursery forester. “Every bag of acorns and seed collected by citizens will help us keep Virginia beautiful.”

The species most needed are: Black Oak; Chestnut Oak; Chinese Chestnut; Northern Red Oak; Pin Oak; Sawtooth Oak; Swamp Chestnut Oak; Swamp White Oak; Willow Oak, and White Oak.

“Lawns or paved areas are ideal collection sites,” explains McLaughlin. “A single tree located in these areas makes identifying the acorns easier.”

McLaughlin reminds anyone who is interested in collecting acorns or seeds to: not use plastic bags to hold the acorns or seed; identify the tree species on the non-plastic bag, and to not combine acorn or seed from different tree species in the same bag.