White Oak Trees Need Your Help

  • Wednesday, October 20, 2021
  • Wayne Clatterbuck, UT Extension forester
The White Oak Initiative in Tennessee is a joint project of the Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF), the Tennessee Forestry Association (TFA) and University of Tennessee Extension
The White Oak Initiative in Tennessee is a joint project of the Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF), the Tennessee Forestry Association (TFA) and University of Tennessee Extension
photo by K. Keel-Blackmon
Small acorns produce forest giants, and in Tennessee, the white oak is perhaps king. The white oak is a keystone tree species in Tennessee for both wildlife and wood products, but experts are concerned about the long-term sustainability of white oak considering the regeneration difficulties associated with the species. 
 
The White Oak Initiative in Tennessee is a joint project of the Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF), the Tennessee Forestry Association (TFA) and University of Tennessee Extension.
The initiative is promoting the reforestation of white oak by placing focus on acorn collection and education to promote the production of seedlings for planting. “We hope to keep white oak in the forest landscape with continuous conservation, reforestation and stewardship projects,” says Wayne Clatterbuck, UT Extension forester and member of the project team.
 
The White Oak Initiative is asking Tennessee civic organizations, forestry groups, landowners and anyone interested to collect white oak acorns. The acorns will then be planted and evaluated at the East Tennessee Nursery in Delano, Tennessee, and resulting quality, white oak seedlings will be used in reforestation efforts. 
 
The White Oak Initiative has produced a YouTube information video that describes the value of the white oak to the forest and to wildlife species as well as our economy. It also is useful to help identify white oak from other oak species.
 
Participation is open to anyone. For information about collecting, processing and delivering acorns or requesting an acorn collection kit, visit the following websites:
 
YouTube Information Video:
https://youtu.be/PAE_BapmrlE
 
Acorn Collection Kits:
Tennessee Forestry Association
615-883-3832
 
Acorn Depository:
East Tennessee Nursery in Delano, Tennessee
877-868-7337 
www.PlantTNTrees.org
 
White Oak ID and Acorn Processing:
University of Tennessee Extension, Knoxville
865-974-7990
wclatter@utk.edu
 
Only white oak acorns are needed. The project will be accepting acorns from Oct. 15 through Nov. 15.
The initiative is promoting the reforestation of white oak by placing focus on acorn collection and education to promote the production of seedlings for planting
The initiative is promoting the reforestation of white oak by placing focus on acorn collection and education to promote the production of seedlings for planting
photo by Wikipedia
Outdoors
Fish And Wildlife Service Proposes Listing Barrens Darter As Endangered Species
  • 6/30/2025

Following a review of the best available science, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the Barrens darter as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. ... more

South Pittsburg Tennessee RiverLine Paddle Event Set For June 28
South Pittsburg Tennessee RiverLine Paddle Event Set For June 28
  • 6/24/2025

The non-profit South Pittsburg Area Revitalization Quest who works with Tennessee River Line to hold events on the Tennessee River announces their annual “Pitt to Port Paddle Event” set for this ... more

New Summer Ride Series Connects Youth To Trails, Bikes And Community
New Summer Ride Series Connects Youth To Trails, Bikes And Community
  • 6/23/2025

This summer, three local nonprofits—Lookout Mountain Conservancy, SORBA Chattanooga, and White Oak Bicycle Co-op—have joined forces to launch the LMC Summer Ride Series, a five-session progressive ... more