Home / Environment / U of T Students Harvest Rare Acorns to Preserve Toronto's Native Trees
U of T Students Harvest Rare Acorns to Preserve Toronto's Native Trees
2 Oct, 2025
Summary
- U of T forestry students collect acorns from a giant White Oak in Queen's Park
- Acorns will be donated to the city's tree seed diversity program
- White Oaks produce acorns only once every 5-10 years, making this a rare opportunity
On October 2nd, 2025, a group of University of Toronto forestry students embarked on a mission to preserve the diversity of Toronto's native trees. Led by forest ecologist Eric Davies, the students collected approximately six litres of acorns from a majestic White Oak tree in Queen's Park.
White Oaks, a common deciduous tree species in North America, are the largest and oldest trees in Toronto's green spaces. The tree the students harvested is one of the oldest remaining White Oaks in Queen's Park, and it is a crucial part of the city's urban ecosystem.
The acorns collected by the students will be donated to the City of Toronto's tree seed diversity program, which aims to "enhance the genetic diversity" of the city's natural areas. This program is a collaborative effort between the city and the national charity Forests Canada, and it involves collecting seeds from native tree species to be grown and planted across the city in the coming years.
Davies emphasized the importance of the White Oak tree, stating that it is a "keystone species" that needs to be preserved. White Oaks only produce acorns about once every five to ten years, making this year's crop a rare and valuable opportunity for the students to contribute to the city's efforts to protect its native tree population.
