From Acorn to Oak

January 23, 2026

TIME for Kids

MAYA KARKALICHEVA—GETTY IMAGES

An oak is a type of tree. Some oaks live for hundreds of years. Learn how they grow from seed to tree.

Small Seed

REKINC1980—GETTY IMAGES

An oak tree starts as an acorn. This is its seed. Have you seen an acorn? It can grow when it is put in soil.

Green Sprout

GEORGETTE DOUWMA—GETTY IMAGES

An acorn needs water to grow. Then it can sprout. It grows roots and a stem. It has leaves. This is called a seedling.

Young Tree

NICKBEER—GETTY IMAGES

The seedling grows. Its stem gets stronger. The stem is now a trunk. The trunk grows branches. Now the tree is a sapling.

Mighty Oak

The tree grows for many years. Its roots and branches spread. The oak makes acorns. More trees can grow from them.

More from Science

Earth Science

Hungry Plants

February 5, 2026

Most plants get energy from the sun. But some plants are carnivorous. They eat insects and small animals. Here are four carnivorous plants. Cobra Lily This plant looks like a snake. Insects try to eat its nectar. They get trapped…

Audio
Spanish

Earth Science

Plants and Their Prey

February 5, 2026

Carnivorous plants catch small animals. They are able to eat them. Why do they need to do this? All plants have roots. Roots soak up water from the soil. They soak up nutrients, too. Nutrients help plants grow. In…

Audio
A girl standing outdoors blowing seeds off of a dandelion.

Earth Science

How Seeds Spread

January 30, 2026

Most plants start as a seed. Plants spread their seeds. Wind and water move them from place to place. This helps plants find new spots to grow in. Here is how seeds travel. Blown by Wind Some seeds are very…

Audio
Spanish

Earth Science

What a Seed Needs

January 30, 2026

Have you ever touched a seed? Outside, it is hard. Inside, it is ready to grow. But it needs help. A seed needs water to grow. It needs oxygen. And it needs the right temperature. Then it will germinate. That…

Audio