NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) invites Tennesseans to participate in the Tennessee White Oak Initiative, a statewide acorn collection program through Nov. 15, 2026. The partnership, which includes TDF’s East Tennessee Nursery, the University of Tennessee Extension and the Tennessee Forestry Association, supports white oak forest regeneration efforts across the state.

“White oak regrowth has declined in Tennessee’s forests,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “This initiative is part of a large-scale effort to restore white oak populations in forests across our state. We welcome the public to participate in this initiative, whether they own wooded land or not, and help collect acorns that will grow the future giants of our forests.”

Each year, the East Tennessee Nursery in Polk County grows a large crop of white oak seedlings, which are critical to white oak restoration efforts statewide. In recent years, seed suppliers have been unable to meet the nursery’s seed volume needs. Now in its sixth year, the white oak acorn collection program is designed to supplement the nursery’s seed supply to boost seedling production. This type of wild seed collection also tends to yield higher quality, larger and stronger seedlings.

Individuals, civic organizations, forestry groups, landowners and youth organizations who would like to participate can learn how to collect, store and deliver acorns for inclusion in the program at the Tennessee Forestry Association acorn collection webpage.

Interested parties may also reach out to their local TDF area forester for assistance in identifying the correct tree species. The TDF staff directory is online.

TDF protects and promotes the responsible use of forest resources in Tennessee. Focus areas include assisting landowners with a variety of services, providing quality tree seedlings, supporting forest health programs, collecting forest inventory data, assisting forest industries and fighting wildland fires.

Visit the Division of Forestry webpage for more information.