Sunday, May 31, 2009

Acorn Caps Wanted

Reader seeking stemmed acorn caps



I received the following e-mail from Janee Cookson. I wasn't sure what type of acorns she is seeking, so I suggested that I post her e-mail on the blog. Maybe some of the Tree Notes readers can help her. If so, please contact her directly at janeecookson@gmail.com .

Hello Genevieve,
I stumbled upon your blog tonight while doing a search for acorn shells.

Two years ago, I had collected some acorn shell 'caps' (not the nut-meat part, but the caps only), during a trip to the East Coast.

I live in Colorado and am having a hard time finding any nice Oak Trees with the acorn shell caps that I had found. The reason why I am looking for these 'caps' is because I use them in crafts which make up a small little business.

The ones that work the best are the caps which have a tiny part of a stem on them. There must be a particular Oak Tree which has this, as I do have tons of caps from other collections but they look quite different and do not have the stem part at all.

The 'stemmed' caps were found below a very large Oak tree in Ohio. The diameter of the caps averages about 3/4" across. And some are larger. The cap is more 'flat-like' and darker colored than other acorn shells too.

Does this sound like something that you are familiar with? If so, do you have a suggestion as to how I may go about getting any of these. I am willing to pay for them, of course. Or, if you have an idea of who I should contact next to figure this out, that would be so great too!

Thank you so much for your time...

Sincerely,
Janee Cookson


In a second e-mail, Janee noted that they might be red oak acorns, but she is not positive. Here are a couple of photos of the acorns, as she uses them. Note the long stems.

Posted by Genevieve

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Enrich your life with the study of trees.

"The power to recognize trees at a glance without examining their leaves or flowers or fruit as they are seen, for example, from the car-window during a railroad journey, can only be acquired by studying them as they grow under all possible conditions over wide areas of territory. Such an attainment may not have much practical value, but once acquired it gives to the possessor a good deal of pleasure which is denied to less fortunate travelers."

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References I frequently consult

Brockman, C. Frank. Trees of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. Ed. Herbert S. Zim. New York: Golden Books, 1986.

Cliburn, Jerry, and Ginny Klomps. A Key to Missouri Trees in Winter: An Identification Guide. Conservation Commission of the State of Missouri, 1980.

Collingwood, G. H. and Warren D. Brush. Knowing Your Trees. Washington D.C.: American Forestry Association, 1978.

Grimm, William Carey. The Book of Trees. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Company, 1962.

Hightshoe, Gary L.. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines for Urban and Rural America. New York: Van Nostrund Reinhold, 1988.

Little, Elbert L. National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Trees. New York: Chanticleer Press Inc., 1996.

Martin, Alexander C., Herbert C. Zim, and Arnold L. Nelson. American Wildlife and Plants. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1951.

Mitchell, Alan. The Trees of North America. New York: Facts on File Publications, 1987.

Randall, Charles Edgar. Enjoying Our Trees. Washington D.C.: American Forrestry Association, 1969.

Settergren, Carl, and R. E. McDermott. Trees of Missouri. Columbia, MO: University Extension, 1995.

Wharton, Mary E. and Roger W. Barbour. Trees & Shrubs of Kentucky. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 1973.