Acorns - are they ripe enough to save for seed yet?

I've just gathered up a load of fallen acorns as so many people seem to want some from my sweet holly oak.

Some are still very green, but some are pretty brown.

Are any of ripe enough for seed saving?

And if so, what should I do with them next?  Freeze them overnight to kill any bugs?



All advice gratefully received as I don't waste to waste time and effort and money sending over ones that aren't suitable.

They are definitely ripe enough...

I typically only recommend freezing for seeds that are completely dry. I wonder if acorns are one of those seeds that shouldn't dry out? If they should be planted immediately? Or be stored refrigerated?

Acorns are indeed what we call a recalcitrant seed and those are plenty ripe enough. You must store them moist. In temperate climes moist and cool, that is refrigerated. Not too moist. Think wrung out rag or paper towel moist. In a sealed zip lock. 10% bleach solution for a few minutes can help with surface pathogens. Then rinse throughly. Check them frequently in storage and as long as radicles haven't emerged you can bleach again with 10% bleach.

Immediately plant or discard any imperfect ones. Particularly with holes. They may still grow into trees, but won't store in the fridge and fungi can spread to the good ones.

Do not freeze them or dry them. That will kill them. Ship them, if necessary, quickly. Best to plant them asap.