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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle

How do acorns that fall to the ground bury themselves below the surface?

the Allerton oak in Liverpool, England’s 2019 tree of the year
From little acorns ... the Allerton oak in Liverpool, England’s 2019 tree of the year. Photograph: Jill Jennings/Woodlands Trust/PA Photograph: Jill Jennings/Woodlands Trust/PA

When acorns fall off my oak tree in the autumn they naturally settle on top of the soil. But when spring comes, I find they have germinated and are shooting up – but from their new positions of 2-3 inches below the surface. How on earth did they get down there?

Pete Hanson, Exeter

Post your answers – and new questions – below or email them to nq@theguardian.com

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