The folks at OIKOS Tree Crops sometimes have acorns and seednuts for sale - and many of their offerings are hybrids - and coming out of their seed orchard, the likelihood that seedlings grown from those acorns will be complex hybrids is pretty good...

International Oak Society members often trade/swap acorns across the country - and even around the world, when permitted. Check out the IOS website.

Here is a link that might be useful: OIKOS

I actually like the idea of complex hybrids, a bit of a "you never know what you're going to get" aspect.

Around the world? I'd LOVE to get some Q. frainetto acorns.

"I know about Sheffield's and Schumacher, are there others?"

Those are the big two for retail tree seeds, but there are a few other sources. J. L. Hudson has some interesting stuff including some tree seeds. The Angelgrove Tree Seed Company, Plant World Seeds, Prairie Moon Nursery, Gardens North, SparkleberrySprings, and The Fragrant Path offer smaller selections of woody plant seeds. Sierra Seed Supply offers some interesting stuff from their area. Oikos Tree Crops periodically offers a few types of seeds, including many oaks.

"I worry about places like Sheffield's because sometimes, the seeds are shown as being a previous crop year, and I know that many tree seeds, Oaks included, really don't store that well, so I question the viability."

When stored properly, most seeds can last for a pretty long period. Sometimes Sheffield's does have some very old seeds, but, for the most part, I'd say your concerns are unfounded. Sheffield's has the ability and knowledge to stores seeds under very specific and proper conditions.

Thanks, Brandon, that makes me feel better. Now if I could just find some Q. frainetto...

Join the IOS. It's free for a basic membership. I joined a few days ago. The above suggestion is right on the money. They have acorn exchanges.

Btw, I had in a pile of notes to collect frainetto and forgot!

Dax

Unless there's something I'm missing, basic membership in the IOS is $30/yr, $55/2yrs, or $85/3yrs.

It looks like it's free to join the IOS website only. Your right, it's $30 to join but it's really worth it. For the most part the yearly membership has 2 newsletters and a journal or proceedings depending on the year. The acorns exchanges take place at the conference sites which happen once every three years.

I have gotten some by asking on here, but try in Sept and Oct. I've found Q. Robur on Ebay a few yrs ago. There are none around me to collect from. You never know what ebay will have. As far as hybrids the Mossy oak natives have seedlings, but MAYBE could sell acorns or help you locate a source.

You must know this already but I will still mention Colonial Williamsburg, Va has a mature Compton's oak, but of course they probably already dropped acorns already.

Check out the abstract of the article linked below.

...and you were concerned about Sheffield's seeds. (-;

Here is a link that might be useful: AAAS/Science

That's really awesome, Brandon.

Guess I'm going to pay for an IOS membership. oops.

2015 the IOS gathering will be in IL during fall while acorns are maturing (of course!) & two of the places on the schedule will be Starhill Forest Arboretum located in Petersburg, IL, and The Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL. Bring your buckets/backpacks, ziplocs and sharpies, & camera!

Dax