Paul Ringo

Is there anything special I need to do to get some hickory trees and oak trees started from acorns? I harvested the nuts in the fall, screened out the ones that floated, soaked the remainder through some cold weather, put them in soil in quart bags and kept them in the refrigerator all winter.  

They've all got white shoots (radicles?) that have sprouted.  Those will be the taproots?  Just plant them in protected soil for a year before I move them into an area with light for their new homes?  I'd appreciate any suggestions from experience.  Thanks again.  

 I'm in the process of beginning a work of restoration on some land in E. Texas. The land has been ignored for years and it shows.  There are places where erosion has made rivulets in red clay.  Water runs off the property and some into a small pond.

I want to begin planting grasses that will cover the clay and begin slowing down the water runoff and erosion. I've already cut pine trees and placed them in obvious areas to begin the process.  I've also planted mayhaws and bald cypress trees as well as some gobbler oaks to begin adding leaves etc to cover the soil.

I would appreciate suggestions for grasses to begin the restoration. This area was part of a hilly prairie in the beginning. It's part of what was called the 'Big Thicket' that spread from SE Texas up the Sabine River and west for 75 miles or so.  It does have mixed oaks, pines and magnolias on part of the property.  I'd appreciate any ideas you have to help stop the erosion and begin the restoration.