AUGUSTA COUNTY, Va -- Acorns from trees, like white oaks, are in high demand at the Virginia Department of Forestry.

The need for the acorns is very important right now because of the amount of deforestation of native trees. Workers with the Department of Forestry use the acorns to grow saplings that they hope to replace the trees cut down for lumber. Saplings are sold to people looking to add trees as fence-line or wildlife enhancements.

Eleven acorn varieties are in need right now, and at the top of the list is the white oak.

Foresters want you to collect acorns and then turn them in to the local forestry office, like the one in Crimora. If you cannot make it out there, call them at 540) 363 - 5732.

“If a person does collect acorns and can't get them to us, then they are allowed to contact their local forester technician and they will ways to get those acorns to us,” said Joshua McLaughlin, a forester with the Department of Forestry.

The best time to collect acorns is the last week in September through the first week in October.

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